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icncml  Sistoro  of  8)mnne  Uoimtn. 


CHAPTER  I. 


IN    THE    BK(iIXNlN(! — Al!nl!l(;iXAI,    KRA THE    WARS    E()R    I'OSSESSION. 


1492  -1664. 


"In  the  beginning." 
ry^HE  world  wliicli  gave  birtli  to  tlic  discovery  of  AiiHM'ica  was  lit- 


r 


orally  an  Old  World.  Its  iiistory  began  with  auci(nit  time;  its 
territories  were  bounded  by  the  Sacred  Records;  its  prophe+s  and 
sages  had  foretold,  under  Divine  Revelation,  the  coming  of  the  Son 
OF  Man;  its  kings  had  called  their  hosts  to  battle,  traversed  its  plains 
and  valleys  and  erected  monnments  oi'  stone  and  of  tiie  lioncsof  their 
victims;  vice,  in  all  the  forms  oi  man's  invention,  had  swept  its  tidal 
waves  over  its  inhabitants;  whatever  of  good  had  been  evolved  from 
the  experiences  of  the  human  race,  was  written  on  its  annals, — it 
was  old  in  its  civilization,  in  its  theories,  in  all  its  history.  It  Avas 
not,  therefore,  a  poetic  fancy  which  gave  to  America  the  title  of  the 
New  World.  European  civilization  iiad  not  touched  it;  physically, 
its  fields  and  foi'ests,  its  mountains  and  valleys,  were  yet 

"Wrapped  iu  :i  inaiitlc,  thick  and  black. 
That  o'er  its  miglity  frame  had  crept 
Since  stars  and  angels  sanir,  and  eiirth 
Shot,  from  its  Makir,  into  Itirth." 

It  was  a  world  to  be  moulded  and  fashi(»n(M];  to  be  developed  under 
the  ins|)iration  of  new  theories;  to  take  its  im]n'ess  from  men  of 
thought  and  action  bronglit  togetiicr  \>\  tlie  art  of  printing;  to  be 
forever, — in  its  histoiy,  in  its  discoveries,  in  its  tiieories,  in  its  poM- 
tics,  in  its  inlluence  upon  the  human  race, — a  New  Woi'ld. 

For  the  change  that  awaited  it  the  full  time  had  not  come  wlien 
Columbus  folded  the  sails  of  his  siiallops,  under  the  welcome  cry  of 
"Laud!  Land!"  which  was  echoed  from  tiie  decks  of  the  Pinta,  on 
tiie  evening  of  Septendu'r  25th,  1492.  New  thoughts  were  yet  to 
be  developed  from  the  experiences  of  the  old  civilization  before  the 
records  of  tlie  new  could  be  opened.  The  freedom  of  man  had  not 
been  born  among  tlie  nations;  religious  intolerance  had  not  reached 


6  GiJNJERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


its  culminating  point;  the  Word  of  God  had  not  been  unshackled. 
White-wing"ed  messengers  of  the  coming  change  hovered  over  the 
coast ;  the  Cabots  discovered  Newfoundland  ;  Verazzano  explored, 
wtih  his  boat,  the  "most  beautiful"  bay  of  New  York;  Cartier  pene- 
trated the  Saint  Lawrence.  But  Spain  obtained  from  tlie  Pope  the 
sweeping  edict  that  its  sovereigns,  should  hold,  as  a  gift  in  perpetu- 
ity, all  the  heathen  lands  found  or  to  be  discovered  to  the  west  of  a 
meridian  one  hundred  leagues  westward  from  the  Azores;  enterprise 
was  arrested;  the  nations  became  discordant,  and  the  great  heart  of 
the  New  World  waited  under  the  influence  of  these,  shall  it  be  said 
natural  causes,  till  a  purer  faith  should  recognize  the  hand  of  the 
Mighty  One  among  the  nations,  and  an  unerring  finger  trace  the  pro- 
cesses of  man's  elevation. 

But  the  full  time  came.  England  denied  the  exclusive  pretensions 
of  Spain,  in  virtue  of  first  visitiition,  and  of  the  Pope's  donation,  and 
affirmed  the  principle  that  discovery  and  prescription,  unless  accom- 
panied by  possession,  were  of  no  avail.  Speedily  the  bold  naviga- 
tors of  England,  and  France,  and  Holland,  pressed  their  vessels  more 
closely  to  the  long  stretches  of  sandy  shore,  more  closely  to  the  wood- 
ed hills  and  the  open  bays,  more  closely  to  the  rocky  blufis  that  for 
slumbering  ages  had  known  no  music  but  the  grand  anthem  of  praise 
which  the  soa  had  rolled  up  to  Him  who  had  set  its  bounds.  Swept 
onward  by  the  spirit  of  discovery  which  had  risen  to  the  occasion 
demanding  its  office,  the  coast  line  was  passed,  and  the  bays  and  the 
rivers  running  to  the  sea  yielded  their  secrets.  The  great  barrier  to 
progress  was  br^jken  down;  the  New  World  was  opened  to  the  em- 
brace of  people  of  all  nations  to  be  welded  togetlier  in  the  furnace 
of  common  interests. 

Interesting  as  is  the  study  of  the  successive  approaches  of  discov- 
ery, and  the  influences  which  alternately  retarded  or  impelled  its 
progress,  philosophy  pauses  in  the  presence  of  the  practical;  and 
that  which  enables  us  to  say,  "On  //lis  day,  or  on  this  spot,  some  great 
discovery  was  made,  some  signal  achievement  was  accomplished," 
or  some  monumental  record  was  inscribed,  commands  the  attention. 
More  adventurous  than  many  of  his  contemporaries,  Henry  Hudson, 
sailing  under  the  flag  of  Holland,  anchored  his  vessel,  the  Half  Moon, 
in  the  bay  which  now  constitutes  the  harbor  of  New  York.  Remain- 
ing there  a  week,  on  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  September,  1609,  he 
commenced  the  exploration  of  the  river  which  now  bears  his  name, 
and,  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  sailed  into  what  is  now  known  as 
Newburgh  bay.  As  he  passed  the  giant  hills  that  sentinel  the  north- 
ern portal  of  the  Highlands,  the  sun  came  out  and  kissed  with  its 
beams  the  magnificent  primal  forests  and  awoke  to  life  their  gorgeous 


IN  THE  BEGINNING.  7 

autumnal  hues.  Before  liim  the  river  mirrored  the  rocky  heights  and 
the  waving  verdure;  around  him  "the  lethargy  of  uncivilized  nature 
reigned  in  undisturbed  solitude;"  the  wild  game  sprang  from  their 
familiar  retreats  startled  by  the  sound  of  cannon  and  the  inspiring 
peal  of  trumpets;  the  circling  eddies  from  the  vessel's  prow  bore 
with  them  to  the  adjacent  shores  the  advent  of  the  new  era,  and  gave 
to  them  their  part  in  the  history  of  the  discovery  of  the  New  World. 

After  spending  several  days  in  the  northern  part  of  the  river,  he 
reached  Newburgh  bay,  on  his  return  voyage,  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  29 Lh  of  September,  and  again  cast  anchor,  or  as  his  Journal  states, 
"turned  down  to  the  edge  of  the  mountains,  or  the  northermost  of 
the  mountains,  and  anchored;  because  the  high  lands  hath  many 
points,  and  a  narrow  channel,  and  hath  many  eddie  winds.  So  we 
rode  quietly  all  night."  What  a  night  was  that !  Forcibly  remarks 
Moulton:  "If  the  morning  scene  was  grand,  how  beautiful  must  have 
been  that  of  the  night.  His  was  the  tirst  European  A'essel  which 
had  been  encompassed  by  the  Highlands. 

'One  still 
And  solemn  desert,  in  primeval  garb, 
Hung  round  his  lonely  bark.' 

The  departing  sun  rested  in  beauty  upon  the  hills,  and  left  the  shad- 
ows of  the  mountains  to  deepen  into  the  night,  when  the  solemn 
gloom  became  interrupted  only  by  the  scream  of  the  catamount,  as  it 
leaped  from  the  forest  to  the  jutting  crag,  glanced  for  a  moment  at 
the  ship,  as  its  port-lights  glimmered  on  the  waters,  and  then  plunged 
into  the  thicket;  or  by  the  shrill  screech  (jf  'each  wild  throat,  in  this 
incumbrance  of  horrific  woods.'  And  now  the  fiill-orbed  moon  rose 
from  behind  the  mountains  and  opened  to  full  view  the  grand  ampi- 
Iheatre  of  hills.  At  their  base  lay  the  ship  embosomed  in  a  tremu- 
lous gleam  of  light,  while  the  surrounding  rocks  glistened  with  the 
reflected  moonbeams,  or  presented  in  traces  of  shade  the  cavern- 
gorges,  whither  the  grim,  gainit  wolf  hastened  with  stealtiiy  tread, 
when,  prowling  along  the  bank,  his  glare  first  fell  upon  the  alarming- 
wonder."  Anon  the  forest  was  hushed  and  its  tenants  mute,  and  as 
the  hours  passed  on,  the  mountain  sides  again  sparkled  with  gems 
and  dew-drops  as  the  morning  sun  awoke  the  scene  to  life. 

The  spectators  of  that  wonderful  scene  were  not  confined  to  civil- 
ized men  and  beasts  of  prey.  The  New  World  had  a  people,  if  not 
a  civilization, — a  people  with  laws  and  customs  the  most  perfect 
type  of  democracy,  into  whose  hands  possession  had  been  given  by 
the  Creator;  a  people  dressed  in  costumes  of  feathers  and  furs,  arm- 
ed with  rude  weapons,  uttering  a  strange  language,  worshiping  a 
strange  God.     They  were  not  strangers  to  Hudson  in  the  sense  that 


8 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


tlieir  existence  was  not  knowM,  for  their  name  had  reached  Europe 
throiig-li  the  earlier  voyag-ers;  nor  perhaps  to  many  of  them  were 
those  wlio  now  visited  them  in  their  own  waters  entirely  unknown, 
fur  on  their  coast  the  P]uropeans  had  been  seen;  long  years  before, 
the  adventurous  Verazzano  had  surveyed  a  j)ortion  of  their  domin- 
ions; l)ut  never  before^  had  the  then  living-  gi'Uc^ration  stood  face  to 
face  with  people  of  the  Old  World.  The  young  were  filled  with 
wonder,  the  old  with  awe.  'J'he  signals  of  a  change,  they  kn(»w  not 
what,  floated  before  them. 

With  this  people  Hiidson's  experiences  were  varied.  VVhei'ever  he 
cast  anchor  they  visited  his  ship  with  presents,  and  maniiested  in 
many  tonus  their  desire  to  render  acts  of  kindness.  More  hospita- 
ble men  and  women  never  lived, — all  that  they  had  was  at  the  ser- 
vice of  tlieir  visitant.  Constant  was  their  intercourse, — increasing 
tlieir  gifts;  but  in  many  cases  their  kindness  was  mistaken,  and  their 
confidence  abused.  Below  the  Highlands,  Hudson  confined  two  of 
them,  intending  to  take  them  to  Holland;  but  when  the  opi)ortunity 
came  they  escaped,  and  called  from  the  shore  to  their  captor  in  scorn. 
At  the  Ivatskills  he  met  loving-  people  and  old  men,  from  whom  he 


received  ofilerings  and  ti>  whom  he  gave  brandy.  When  in  Newbnrgh 
hay  (Sept.  30),  he  says  "the  pcojde  of  the  country  c;ime  aboard  us, 
and  brought  some  small  skins  with  them,  which  we  bought  for  knives 
and  triMes.     At  tiiree  o'clock  they  departed."     On  the  1st  of  October, 


ABOniGINAL  ERA. 


when  achured  ofi'  Stony  Point,  "the  people  of  the  mountains" 
visited  him,  "  wondering-  at  the  ship  and  weapons."  They,  too,  sold 
skins  for  tritles.  In  the  afternoon  a  canoe  "kept  hanging  under  the 
cabin  windows,"  and  its  occupant  was  detected  pilfering.  He  had 
taken  a  "pillow,  and  two  shirts  and  two  bandaliers,"  when  tiie 
"mate  shot  him,  and  struck  him  in  the  breast  and  killed  him."  His 
companions  were  umch  frightened,  and  fled  away,  some  in  their  ca- 
noes, others  jumping  into  the  water.  A  boat  was  lowered  to  recover 
the  stolen  articlet?,  when  one  who  was  in  the  water  seized  hold  uf  it, 
"  thinking  to  overthrow  it,"  but  "  the  cook  seized  a  sword  and  cut  ofl' 
one  of  his  hands,  and  he  was  drowned."  When  Hudson  reached  the 
place  where  he  had  betrayed  the  young  men,  when  going  up  the  river, 
lie  was  shot  at  with  bows  and  arrows,  to  which  he  replied  with  six 
muskets  "  killing  iwo  of  them."  "  Yet  they  manned  olf  another  canoe 
with  nine  or  ten  men."  A  falcon  shot  was  sent  through  it  and  one  of 
its  occupants  killed,  while  the  sailors  with  their  muskets  "  killed 
three  or  four  more."  From  this  contlict  he  sailed  for  Europe,  bearing 
with  him  not  only  his  surveys,  but  an  epitome  of  tlie  future  inter- 
course of  the  people  of  the  Old  World  with  those  of  the  -New.  The 
conHict  of  the  opposing  civilizations  had  been  joined. 

But  the  struggle  was  delayed.  Meanwhile  Dutch  navigators  divi- 
ded the  river  into  reaches  and  gave  names  to  them,  as  well  as  to  the 
people  with  whom  they  traded,  and  planted  their  outposts  of  posses- 
sion. This  crude  geography  and  its  nomenclature  was  gatiiered  up 
by  the  Dutch  historians  and  embodied  in  papers  for  the  intbrmation  of 
those  desiring  to  embark  in  trade  in  the  New  World  or  to  emigrate 
thither.  In  a  paper  written  by  DeLaet,  who  has  been  called  the  first 
historian  of  New  York,  it  is  said:  "  Within  the  first  reach,  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  river,  where  the  land  is  low,  dwell  the  Tapijans.  The  sec- 
ond reach  of  the  river  extends  upward  to  a  narrow  part  named  by  our 
people  Haverstroo,"  at  which  place  the  natives  were  called  Haverstroos. 
They  were  the  chieftaincy  some  of  the  members  of  which  sought  to 
pilfer  from  the  cabin  windows  of  Hudson's  ship  on  the  afternoon 
of  October  1st,— were  the  "  people  of  the  mountains."  From  Stony 
Point  h)  the  Dans-Kammer  were  the  Waoraiiecks,  "  the  people  of 
the  country"  who  sold  the  "small  skins"  to  Hudson  on  the  30th  of 
September,  and  who  were  subsequently  known  as  "  the  Murderer's  i 
Creek  Indians."  Their  castle  was  on  the  north  spur  of  Schunemunk  ' 
mountain,  and  their  place  of  worship  the  Dans-Kammer.  Above  them 
were  the  Warranawonkonga,  subsequently  known  as  "  the  Esopus  In- 
dians," whose  hunting  grounds  extended  through  the  valley  of  the 
Wallkill.  West  of  the  Warranawonkongs,  and  occupying  the  country 
drained  by  the  Delaware  and  its  tributaries,  were  the  Minsis  or  Min- 


10  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


nisinks.  Those  who  are  familiur  with  the  topography  of  the  district 
will  require  no  more  precise  designation  of  the  territory  occupied  by 
these  native  tribes  or  clans  than  its  water-sheds  afford;  but  it  may  be 
added  that  the  designation  given  is  essentially  contirmed  by  the  deeds 
which  the  aboriginal  lords  executed  for  the  lands  which  they  sold;  and 
it  may  also  be  stated  in  this  connection,  that  the  names  by  which  these 
tribes  were  known  were  not  those  which  they  had  given  as  belong- 
ing to  themselves,  but  were  those  which  they  had  given  to  the  Dutch 
as  the  names  of  the  streams  on  which  they  lived.  The  Warranawon- 
kotig  was  the  Wallkill;*  the   Waorannck,  the  Murderer's  Creek. 

Later,  the  tribal  and  national  organizations  of  this  people  appear- 
ed. It  would  be  no  violation  of  fact  to  say  that  their  political  con- 
stitution was  similar  to  our  own.  They  had  villages  or  towns, 
counties  or  enlarged  cantons,  tribes  or  states,  nations  or  united 
tribes.  Each  in  its  sphere  was  independent,  yet  the  whole  strongly 
and  firmly  bound  together.  The  sub-tribes  or  villages  south  of  Stony 
Point  were  Unulactos,  or  the  Turkey  tribe;  those  north,  were  Minais, 
or  the  Wolf  tribe,  with  territorial  jurisdiction  extending  through  the 
Miunisink  country  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey;  south  of  the 
Minsis  they  were  Unainia,  or  the  Turtle  tribe,  f  The  tribes  named 
constituted  the  Lenui-Lenape  naticm,  wiiich  held  its  council-fire  at 
what  is  now  Philadelphia.  Prom  the  Unamis  was  selected  invariably, 
by  the  ruling  chiefs  of  the  other  tribes,  the  King  or  Sagamore  of  the 
nation;  a  King  both  with  and  without  power;  a  sovereign  whose 
rule  was  perpetuated  only  through  the  love  of  his  people;  a  monarch 
the  most  polisiied,  the  most  liberal,  the  poorest  of  his  race;  one  who 
ruled  by  permission,  who  received  no  salary,  who  was  not  permitted 
to  own  the  cabin  in  which  he  lived  or  the  laud  he  cultivated,  who 
could  receive  no  presents  that  did  not  become  the  property  of  the 
nation,  yet  whose  larder  and  treasure  chest  were  never  empty. 

To  treat  the  history  of  the  Lenapes  at  length  would  require  several 
volumes.  Briefly  stated,  they  were  the  head  of  the  Algonquin  nations 
at  the  time  of  the  discovery,  but  by  a  succession  of  wars  with  the 
Dutch,  the  English,  and  the  Iroquois,  were  compelled,  sometime  about 
1670,  to  yield  to  the  latter  and  become  a  "nation  of  women" — i.  e.  a 
nation  without  power  to  make  war  or  peace  on  their  own  account,  or 
to  sell  or  convey  lands.  In  this  condition  they  remained  until  1755, 
(having,  in  the  meantime,  become  generally  known  as  the  Delaware^); 
when  they  threw  off  the  yoke  of  subjugation,  and,  under  alliaivees 


*  No  documentary  evidence  is  claimed.  The  statement  is  on  the  authority  of  exam- 
ples in  multiplied  instances.  The  word  Esopus,  by  which  the  cUstrict  was  subsequently 
known,  is  a  corruption  of  Seepu,  an  Algonquin  generic  term  for  river. 

t  Tribal  organizations  were  known  by  the  Totems  or  emblems  which  they  painted  upon 
their  cabins,  their  persons,  etc.,  as  the  Turkey,  the  Wolf,  the  Turtle. 


THE  WABS  FOR  POSSESSION.  H 


with  the  Shawanoes,  Mingoes,  etc.,  were  enabled  to  place  themselves 
at  the  head  of  the  western  nations,  and  contest  every  inch  of  soil 
east  of  the  Mississippi. 

But  while  these  facts  were  being  ascertained, — years  before  many 
of  them  were  known, — tliere  came  the  hurrying  to  and  fro  of  armed 
men,  and  the  terribly  echoing  battle-cry  of  the  woodland  lords,  "  Woach, 
Woach,  Ha,  Ha,  Hack,  Woach .' "  with  which  the  settlers  subsequently 
became  familiar.  The  Dutch  began  their  settlement  at  New  Amster- 
dam (now  New  York)  in  1626.  A  few  years  later,  settlements  were 
commenced  at  Paulus'  Hook  (now  Jersey  City),  then  called  Pavonia, 
and  at  Breucklen,  now  the  city  of  Brooklyn,  and  a  few  small  neigh- 
borhoods were  scattered  along  the  river  north  of  Paulus'  Hook. 
These  settlements  brought  with  them  frictions  of  opposing  customs. 
In  1640,  it  is  said,  the  Indians  began  to  steal  and  destroy  the  cattle 
of  the  settlers;  but  the  Indians  claimed  that  the  cattle  of  their  neigh- 
bors, permitted  to  roam  at  large,  destroyed  their  unfenced  fields  of 
corn,  and  that  they  killed  them  having  no  other  remedy.  Pending 
these  complaints  came  an  order  from  Director  Kieft,  demanding  trib- 
ute of  corn,  furs,  etc.,  "  from  the  Indians  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort 
Amsterdam."  The  latter  remonstrated,  but  Kieft  insisted,  and  sent 
a  sloop  up  to  the  Tappans  to  exact  compliance,  but  without  success. 
About  this  time  from  a  plantation  on  Staten  Island  a  number  of  pigs 
were  taken  by  a  company  of  Dutch  sailors;  but  the  Indians  were 
credited  with  the  wrong,  and  a  number  of  them  were  killed.  Their 
tribe  retaliated,  burned  a  plantation  and  killed  four  of  its  occupants. 
Kieft  wished  to  declare  a  war  of  extermination,  but  was  restrained 
by  his  Council,  who  preferred  to  wait  until  "  God  and  the  opportuni- 
ty "  should  favor  them  in  their  wrongful  slaughter. 

The  opportunity  was  not  long  delayed.  In  the  winter  of  1643,  a 
company  of  Mahicana^  from  Fort  Orange,  "each  with  a  musket  on 
his  shoulder,"  came  down  to  collect  tribute  from  the  Weckquaesgecks 
of  Westchester.  The  latter  suffered  terribly.  Several  were  killed, 
and  many  men,  women  and  children  fled  to  Fort  Amsterdam  for  safe- 
ty. At  Pavonia  large  numbers  of  them  collected,  and  also  at  Cor- 
lear's  Hook.  Utterly  defenceless  as  they  were,  Kieft  determined  to 
add  to  their  misfortunes.  On  the  night  of  the  25th  of  February,  by 
his  direction,  his  soldiers  fell  upon  the  homeless,  trusting  red  men 
and  killed  eighty  of  them.  "  Neither  age  nor  sex  were  spared. 
Warrior  and  squaw,  sachem  and  child,  mother  and  babe,  were  alike 
massacred.     Daybreak  scarcely  ended  the  furious  slaughter.     Man- 


*  The  documentary  proof  is  clear  that  this  incursion  was  by  the  Mahicmis,  not  the 
Mohmvks,  as  stated  by  some  histoi-ians.  The  lower  eastern  Hudson  chieftaincies  (the 
old  Manhattans,  etc.)  were  conquered  tribes  and  had  probably  neglected  to  pay  the 
annual  tribute  due  to  the  Mahicans. 


12  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


gled  victims,  seeking  safety  in  tlie  thickets,  were  driven  into  the 
river;  and  parents,  rushing  to  save  their  children  whom  the  soldiers 
had  thrown  into  the  stream,  were  driven  back  into  the  waters,  and 
drowned  before  the  eyes  of  their  unrelenting  murderers." 

But  this  horrible  scene  had  scarcely  faded  from  the  air,  ere  the 
hand  of  revenge  was  made  red  with  the  blood  of  the  Dutch.  Kieft, 
in  his  exultation,  sent  out  foraging  expeditions  to  collect  corn.  One 
of  these  expeditions  seized  two  wagon  loads  of  maize  from  the  Long 
Island  Indians,  who  lost  three  of  their  number  in  endeavoring  to 
save  their  property.  In  retaliation  the  Long  Island  tribes  made 
conmion  cause  with  the  Weck-qtiaesgecks<  and  other  river  cantons,  who 
had  now  learned  that  the  Dutch,  and  not  the  3Iahicans,  had  been  the 
principals  in  the  massacre  at  Pavonia.  Eleven  chieftaincies  rose  in 
open  war.  The  farmer  was  killed  in  the  field,  and  women  and  chil- 
dren swept  off  into  captivity.  A  temporary  peace  .ij^ass  secured  in  the 
spring,  but  in  September  came  a  renewal  of  hostilities,  and  the  Dutch 
were  driven  from  every  foot-hold  outside  of  Fort  Amsterdam.  The 
war-whoop  of  the  Minds  rang  along  the  Highlands,  and  through  the 
wilds  of  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey,  and  was  taken  up  by  the  out- 
lying clans  of  Mahicana,  and  at  a  single  blow,  from  the  Highlands  of 
Neversink  to  the  hills  and  valleys  of  the  Tappam,  the  whole  country 
was  once  more  in  the  possession  of  its  aboriginal  proprietors.  The 
Dutch  colonists  who  escaped  slaughter,  fled  to  Fort  Amsterdam,  and 
terror  kept  watch  with  them  for  days.  Sending  to  New  England  for 
succor,  it  came  in  the  person  of  Capt.  Underbill,  a  man  more  savage 
than  the  savages.  His  coming  roused  the  courage  of  the  Dutch  and 
they  sallied  out  and  turned  the  tide  of  war.  Large  numbers  of  Indians 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson  were  killed— at  Stamford,  Connecticut, 
from  five  to  seven  hundred  were  slaughtered. 

Again  came  temporary  peace  in  the  spring — the  Indians  desiring 
to  plant;  but  war,  with  disaster  to  the  Dutch,  was  renewed  in  the 
winter.  Kieft  now  adopted  a  new  course.  He  went  to  Fort  Orange 
(now  Albany)  and  secured  the  intercession  of  the  Mohawks  and  Mahi- 
cavs,  with  whom  the  Dutch  there  were  in  alliance,  and  on  the  30th  of 
August,  1»645,  through  their  influence,  a  treaty  of  peace  was  concluded. 
The  chiefs  of  the  Hackinsucks  and  Tajypans,  delegates  from  the  Long 
Island  tribes,  and  a  Mahican  chief  who  spoke  for  his  own  people  on  the 
easterTi  bank  of  the  river,  met  the  Dutch,  and  the  Mohawks  actcid  as 
arbitrators.     Tlie  terms  were  arranged  and  peace  restored. 

Ten  years  of  quiet  were  now  enjoyed  by  the  settlers,  but  during 
that  period  the  Indians  suffered  many  wrongs  which  they  brooded 
over  and  burned  to  avenge.  The  excuse  for  a  fresh  appeal  to  arms 
occurred  in   the    autumn    of   1655.     A   squaw,  detected    in  stealing 


THE  WARS  FOR  POSSESSION.  13 


peaches  from  tlie  garden  of  Van  Dyck,  at  New  Amsterdam,  had  been 
killed  by  him,  and  her  tribe,  the  Weckquaesgeck.'<,  determined  to 
avenge  lier  death.  To  make  their  determination  more  eifectnal,  they 
appealed  to  a  war  party  of  their  friends,  then  on  an  expedition,  to 
aid  them.  Learning  that  Director  Stuyvesant,  who,  in  the  meantime 
liad  succeeded  Kieft,  was  absent  on  a  visit  to  South  River,  some 
eight  hundred  armed  men  suddenly  appeared  before  Fort  Amsterdam 
in  sixty-four  canoes.  Landing  before  the  break  of  day,  they  scattered 
through  the  streets  and,  under  the  pretence  of  looking  for  their  ene- 
mies, broke  open  several  houses.  The  Council  and  the  leading  inhab- 
itants immediately  assembled  at  tlie  Fort,  called  the  chiefs  before 
them  and  exacted  a  promise  that  they  would  leave  the  towrj  at  sun- 
set, but  l)efore  the  hour  came  they  fouifd  Van  Dyck  and  left  him  dead, 
as  they  supposed.  This  act  aroused  the  town,  and  the  burger  guard 
rallying  out  from  the  Fort  attacked  the  Lidians  as  they  were  embark- 
ing in  their  canoes.  This  appeal  to  force  was  regarded  by  them  as 
a  declaration  of  war,  and  they  resolved  to  strike  while  they  had 
the  opportunity.  Passing  over  to  the  Jersey  shore,  they  laid  waste 
Hoboken  and  Pavonia,  and  killed  or  captured  most  of  the  inhabitants. 
In  three  days  "one  hundred  of  the  settlers  were  killed,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  made  prisoners,  and  three  hundred  more  ruined  in  estate." 

Again  the  settlers  fled  to  Fort  Amsterdam  as  to  a  city  of  refuge. 
Director  Stuvvesant  was  sent  for,  and  shortlv  after  arrived  witli  liis 
soldiers.  Meanwhile  the  Lidians  had  retreated  with  their  captives — 
a  portion  to  New  Jersey  and  the  remainder  to  the  Highlands.  The 
Hactms^acks  soon  after  oflered  their  prisoners  for  ransom,  and  nego-, 
tiations  being  opened  peace  was  concluded  with  them. 

The  scene  was  now  changed  to  the  Esopus  country,  with  the  Warra- 
naioo7ikongs  as  principals.  Hitherto  difficulties  had  been  confined  to 
the  vicinity  of  Fort  Amsterdam,  for  the  very  obvious  reason  that  the 
Dutch  had  not  extended  their  settlements  north  of  Hackinsack.  Li 
the  district  between  Fort  Orange  and  Fort  Amsterdam,  the  Lidians 
had  been  mainly  visited  by  traders  in  sloops,  although  it  is  said  that 
on  Kingstt)n  point  a  Dutch  trading  post  was  established  as  early  as 
1617.  Occupation  of  the  Esopus  country  by  permanent  settlers, 
however,  was  first  begun  in  1652,  when  Thomas  Chambers  and  some 
of  his  neighbors  removed  thither  from  Rensselaerwyck.  With  these 
settlers  the  Indians  soon  came  in  collision,  and  during  the  war  of 
1655,  th<^  former  abandoned  their  plantations.  In  1656,  they  returned 
and  continued  for  some  time  unmolested,  but,  as  in  other  places,  they 
soon  devoted  the  largest  portion  of  their  time  and  means  to  the  pur- 
poses of  trade,  and,  with  a  view  to  secure  the  largest  amount  of 
furs,  imprudently  made  free  with  the  sale  of  brandy  and  other  liquors, 


14  OENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


under  the  iiiHueiice  of  which  the  Indians  became  troublesome  and  re- 
sorted to  violence.  "  One  of  the  settlers  was  killed,  the  house  and 
outbuildings  of  another  were  burned,  and  the  settlers  were  forced,  by 
threats  of  arson  and  murder,  to  plow  up  the  patches  where  the  sava- 
ges planted  their  maize."  Tlie  settlers  wrote  to  Stuyvesant,  who  re- 
sponded by  innnediately  visiting  the  scene  of  disturbance  with  fifty 
of  his  soldiers,  and,  the  day  following  his  arrival  (May  31,  1657), 
called  the  people  together  for  council.  The  result  of  this  conference 
was  the  establishment  of  a  stockade  village  for  defensive  purposes, 
and  an  interview  with  the  Indians.  The  latter  was  h(>ld  in  an  open 
field.  The  chiefs  denied  that  the  murder  which  liad  been  connnitted 
was  by  one  of  their  number,  but  "  by  a  Minnisink  "  who  was  then 
"  skulking  among  the  Haverstraws,"  and  charged  that  the  whole  of 
the  disturbance  arose  from  the  "drink"  which  had  been  sold  them  by 
the  Dutch.  They  also  recounted  the  losses  which  had  been  inflicted 
upon  them  in  Director  Kieft's  time  (1G45).  Stuyvesant  replied  that 
the  acts  of  his  predecessor  in  the  massacre  of  Pavonia,  had  been 
settled  in  the  subsequent  treaties,  and  if  they  had  not.  that  he  was 
not  responsible  for  them;  that  no  violence  had  been  connnitted  by 
the  Dutch  since  he  came  to  the  Province;  that  the  Indians  had  not 
consulted  him  in  the  treatment  of  Van  Dyck,  and  altogether  made 
out  quiet  a  case  against  them,  concluding  therefrom  that  tlie  latter 
should  sell  to  him  the  whole  of  the  Esopus  land,  "  and  remove  furtlier 
into  the  interior."  The  Indians  asked  time  to  consider  the  matter, 
and  on  the  4tli  of  June  returned  with  their  answer.  They  would 
give  the  Director  the  land  he  asked  "to  grease  his  feet,  as  he  had 
taken  so  long  and  painful  a  journey  to  visit  them."  *  The  stockade 
was  soon  completed,  and  the  Director  returned  to  Fort  Amsterdam. 
The  Indians,  however,  were  far  from  being  satisfied  with  the  new 
order  of  things,  and  in  ct)mmon  with  other  tribes,  were  ready,  on 
even  slight  provocation,  to  commence  war.  Unfortunately  it  Avas  no 
slight  cause  which  led  them  to  take  up  the  hatchet  in  1659.  Thonuis 
Chambers,  of  whom  we  have  already  spoken,  in  September  of  that 
year,  employed  several  of  them  to  liusk  corn,  "  and  at  the  end  of 
their  day's  work  gave  them  some  brandy  for  which  they  asked."  A 
carouse  followed,  in  the  midst  of  which  a  party  of  settlers  issued 
from  the  village  and  assailed  the  unsuspecting  red  men,  killed  two 
of  their  numbin-,  'and  wounded  the  third  who  escaped.  This  dast- 
ardly act  provoked  a  terrible  retaliation.  War  was  again  declared; 
"houses,  barns,  and  harvests  were  burned  up;  cattle  and  horses  were 


*  The  land  conveved  was  called  AtkarK-arton,  or  the  Great  Plot.  It  has  been  assumed 
that  an  Indian  village  was  located  there  from  the  fact  that  the  Dutch  called  their  settle- 
ment "  \N'iltwyck."  "or  Indian  village.  We  conclude,  however,  that  the  Indian  \  illage  was 
that  kno^\'n  as  "  Wiltmeet,"  about  two  miles  west  from  Aikarkarton. 


THE  WARS  FOR  POSSESSION.  15 


kilh^l."  Four  or  five  hundred  savages  invested  the  stockaded  village, 
and  after  vainly  attempting  to  set  fire  to  it,  avenged  themselves  by 
burning  at  the  stake  eight  or  ten  prisoners  whom  they  had  taken.  A 
courier  was  immediately  sent  to  Fort  Amsterdam  for  assistance,  and 
anotlun-  to  Fort  Orange  asking  the  intercession  of  the  Mohan-la^  and 
Mahicans.  Stuyvesant  hurried  to  the  scene  with  about  one  hundred 
m(!n,  and  the  Mohawla^  and  MahicanH  sent  down  five  of  their  number 
to  act  as  intercessors.  The  latter  visited  the  Warranawonkovg  chiefs, 
procure(l  th(^  release  of  two  ])risoiieis,  and  persuaded  the  sachems  to 
a  truce, — an  agreement  to  peace  they  could  not  obtain. 

The  war  was  renewed  in  the  spring  of  1660.  Ensign  Smith  made 
frequent  incursions  into  the  interior,  and,  on  the  I8th  March,  reduced 
the  palisaded  village  of  WiltmcH*  and  took  twelve  prisoners.  Subse- 
quently the  place  was  again  visited,  an  encampment  which  had  been 
lorined  there  broken  up,  and  /'reummalcer,  "the  oldest  and  best "  of 
the  Esopus  chiefs,  killecl.  The  Indians  y)etitioned  for  peace  in  June, 
and  Stuyvesant  went  up  to  Esopus  to  meet  them.  He  Arrived  on  the 
11th  of  July  and  found  delegates  from  the  Mohaivl'i<,  Wappingen^,  and 
other  tribes  to  assist  in  the  negotiations;  but  the  WarranaionnkongH 
were  not  represented.  Messengers  were  sent  to  the  interior  to  induce 
their  attendance,  and  on  the  15th,  four  sachems  arrived,  a  grand 
council  of  all  the  inlial)itants  was  held,  and  terms  of  peace  arranged. 
In  compensation  for  damages,  the  Indians  conveyed  "all  the  lands  of 
Esopus"  to  the  Dutch,  and  th<>  latter  paid  ransoms  in  corn  for  the 
captives  in  the  hands  of  the  Indians.  But  the  captive  Indians  from 
Wiltmeet  were  not  restored;  l)y  Stuyvesant's  order  they  had  been 
sent  to  Curacoa  as  slaves. 

Scarcely  had  "the  WarranmvurjJcongs  agreed  to  this  treaty  before  new 
causes  of  grievance  were  found.  They  held  that  the  Dutch  had  com- 
menced their  New  Village  on  land  which  had  not  been  given  to  them; 
that  the  New  Fort,  as  they  called  the  Ronduit,f  boded  them  no  good; 
that  if  their  white  neighbors  w(;re  sincere  in  their  professions  of  friend- 
ship, they  would  restore  to  them  their  enslaved  kindred.  To  quiet 
them,  Stuyvesant  promised  to  visit  them  and  bring  them  the  presents 
demanded  by  their  customs,  but  this  promise  he  failed  to  keep.  He 
renewed  this  promise  in  June  (1663);  but  without  faith  in  him  and, 
regarding  the  offer  as  only  a  delay  for  a  more  favorable  opportunity 
to  make  war  upon  them,  they  attacked  the  settlement  on  the  1th.  On 
the  morning  of  that  day,  the  settlers  went  forth  to  their  fields  as 
usual.     About  noon,  bands  of  Indians  entered  the  gates  of  both  villa- 


*  Situated  some  distance  above  the  second  fall  (or  creek)  flowing  into  Kit  Davit's  Kill 
(now  called  the  Esopus  creek),   "about  nine  miles  from  the  Hudson." — Brodhead. 

t  This  Ronduit  or  Eedoubt  was  on  the  bluff  of  land  called  Ponckockie,  and  is  perpet- 
uated in  the  name  of  Rondout. 


16  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


ges,  and  scattered  themselves  among  the  houses,  ostensibly  for  the 
purposes  of  trade  Suddenly  they  attacked  the  New  Village  and  de- 
stroyed it  at  a  blow.  "Some  people  on  horseback  escaped"  and 
reached  the  Old  Village,  but  their  arrival  was  the  signal  of  attack 
upon  the  latter,  for  scarce  had  the  alarm  been  given  when  the  Indians 
uttered  their  war-whoop  and  commenced  the  work  of  death.  "The 
people  were  murdered  in  their  houses  with  axes  and  tomahawks,  and 
by  firiiig  on  them  with  guns  and  pistols."  Women  and  children  were 
seized  and  carried  off  prisoners;  houses  were  plundered,  and  men, 
rushing  to  the  defence  of  their  families,  were  shot  down  by  foes  con- 
cealed in  their  own  dwellings.  To  aid  in  the  work  of  destruction, 
the  Indians  set  fire  to  the  village  on  the  windward  side.  The  flames 
spread  rapidly,  but  when  at  their  height,  the  wind  suddenly  changed 
to  the  west  and  prevented  further  devastation.  The  panic  occasioned 
by  the  sudden  attack  having  subsided,  the  settlers  rallied  and  drove 
the  Indians  out.  By  evening  all  was  still  again  and  the  bereaved  in- 
habitants kept  mournful  watch  during  the  night.  TM^Mity-ono  lives 
were  lost,  nine  were  wounded,  and  forty-five  carried  off  captive;  the 
New  Village  was  annihilated,  and  at  tlie  Old  Village  twelve  houses 
were  burned.* 

Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  tlie  intelligence  of  this  disaster, 
Stuyvesant  dispatched  Col.  Martin  Kregier  with  a  company  of  sol- 
diers to  assist  the  settlers.  Kreiger  arrived  at  the  Ronduit  on  the 
4th  of  -luly.  In  a  few  days  five  Mohatok  and  Mahican  chiefs  arrived 
from  Fort  Orange,  and  by  their  mediation  some  of  the  Dutch  cap- 
tives were  released;  but  the  Warranawonkongs  would  not  listen  to 
propositions  for  peace  unless  the  Dutch  would  pay  "for  the  land 
named  the  Great  Plot,"  and  reward  them  with  presents  within  ten 
days.  The  Dutch  commander  replied  by  sending  out  scouting  par- 
ties, who  succeeded  in  bringing  in  a  few  prisoners  from  whom  it  was 
learned  that  the  Indians  had  retreated  to  their  castle;  and  thither  it 
was  determined  to  follow  them.  The  expedition  reached  its  destina- 
tion on  the  evening  of  the  26th  of  July.  The  castlef  was  a  formida- 
ble structure.  It  was  "defended  by  three  rows  of  palisades,  and  the 
houses  in  the  fort  encircled  by  thick  cleft  palisades  with  port  holes  in 
them,  and  covered  with  bark  of  trees;"  in  form  it  was  quadrangular, 
but  tlie  angles  were  "  constructed  l)etween  the  first  and  second  rows 
of  palisades" — the  third  row  of  palisades  standing  "full  eight  feel; 


*  The  New  Village  was  about  three  miles  fi-om  the  Old  Village  and  the  Ronduit  about 
the  same  distance.  Both  villages  are  territorially  included  in  tlao  bounds  of  the  present 
city  of  Kingston. 

t  The  location  of  this  fort,  or  palisaded  village,  is  defined  in  the  boundary  lines  of 
lands  conveyed  by  the  treaty  of  1665:  "  L^-inq:  and  being  to  the  west  and  south-west  of  a 
certain  creek  or  river  called  by  the  name  of  Kahanksen,  and  bo  up  to  the  head  thereof 
where  the  Old  Fort  was." 


THE  WARS  FOR  POSSESSION.  17 


off  from  the  others  towards  the  interior,"  the  whole  being  "  on  the 
brow  of  the  hill"  surrounded  by  table  land.  But  the  object  of  the 
expedition  was  not  accomplished.  Warned  of  the  approach  of  their 
enemy,  the  Indians  retreated  to  the  Shawangunk  mountains  and  took 
their  captives  with  them.  From  a  captured  squaw  it  was  learned 
that  the  Indians  were  some  four  miles  distant,  and  a  force  was  sent 
thither;  but  when  they  arrived  at  the  designated  place,  it  was  found 
that  they  had  again  retreated.  Kregier,  however,  destroyed  the 
Kahanksen  castle  by  fire,  cut  down  the  corn-fields  which  the  In- 
dians had  planted,  and  destroyed  "  about  a  hundred  pits  full  of  corn 
and  beans,"  which  liad  been  preserved  from  the  crop  of  the  previous 
year.     This  work  accomplished,  he  returned  to  Wiltwyck.* 

The  settlers  now  engaged  in  harvesting  their  grain,  and  the  sol- 
diers guarded  them  while  at  work.  Offensive  operations  were  not  re- 
sumed until  September,  when  a  force  of  fifty  men  was  sent  out  to 
reduce  a  new  castle  which  the  Indians  were  said  to  be  erecting,  situ- 
ated "about  four  hours  farthor  than  their  first  fort,"  wliieli  liad  been 
burned.  Tiie  expediti(ui  reached  its  destination  on  llic  5th  of  Sep- 
tember. The  Indians  wert;  taken  by  surprise,  but  made  a  stout  re- 
sistance. They  were  busy  completing  their  fort,  and  had  left  their 
arms  at  their  liouses  "  about  a  stone's  throw  from  the  fort."  Alarmed 
by  a  squaw,  who  had  discovered  the  approach  of  the  Dutch,  they 
rushed  to  secure  their  arms,  but  were  only  partially  successful  so 
closely  were  tliey  pursued.  Retreating  across  the  kill,  tlicy  threw 
l)ack  the  T)utch  fire  with  such  spirit  that  it  was  found  necessary  to 
send  a  strong  party  to  dislodge  them.  "  In  this  attack  the  Indians 
lost  their  chief  Fapequanaehan,  fourteen  warriors,  four  women  and 
three  children."  On  the  part  of  the  Dutch  three  were  killed  and 
wounded.  Thirteen  Indians  were  taken  prisoners,  and  twenty-three 
Dutch  captives  released.  The  Dutch  found  plunder  sufficient  to 
"  well  fill  a  sloop,"  but  were  obliged  to  leave  it.  Everything  was  de- 
stroyed that  could  be.  "The  fort  was  a  perfect  square  with  one  row 
of  palisades  set  all  around,  being  about  fifteen  feet  above  and  three 
feet  below  ground,"  but  it  was  not  completed.  Two  angles  of 
"  stout  palisades,  all  of  them  about  as  thick  as  a  man's  body,  having 
two  rows  of  port-holes,  one  above  the  other,"  were  done,  and,  when 
surprised,  the  Indians  "were  busy  at  the  other  angle."  The  victori- 
ous expedition  returned  to  the  settlement  laden  with  spoil,  and  the 
Indians  fled  to  the  mountains  to  brood  over  their  defeat  and  loss. 

On  the  Ist  of  October,  another  expedition  was  sent  out  on  the 
same  route  and  arrived  at  the  fort  last  destroyed  on  the  2d.     The  In- 


*  By  a  formal  charter  of  date  May  1(5,  1661,  the  settlement  was  ordered  to  be  called 
■  Wiltwyck,"  or  Indian  Village.     Tlie  English  changed  the  name  to  Kingston. 


18  GENERAL  HIS  TOBY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


dians  had  meanwhile  returned  to  it  and  thrown  the  bodies  of  their 
dead  comrades  into  five  pits,  from  wliich  "the  wolves  had  rooted  up 
and  devoured  some  of  them.  Lower  down  on  tlie  kill  four  other  pits 
were  found  containing  bodies;  and  further  on,  three  Indians  with  a 
squaw  and  child  lay  unburied  and  almost  wholly  devo.ured  by  wolves." 
A  terrible  picture  of  desolation  was  spread  out  on  either  hand,  where, 
but  a  few  days  before,  the  native  lord  had  exulted  in  his  strength, 
but  wlio  now,  crushed  and  broken,  had  retreated  southward  among 
their  kindred  Minsis.  The  Dutch  forces  completed  the  destruction  of 
the  fort;  the  palisades  were  pulled  down,  the  wigwams  burned,  and 
all  the  corn  cut  up  and  cast  into  the  kill. 

The  Warranawonkongs,  upon  wliom  this  chastisement  had  principal- 
ly fallen,  solicited  peace  in  the  fall,  and  an  armistice  was  granted. 
They  had  suffered  severely;  their  villages,  from  Wawayanda  to  Eso- 
pus  were  not  without  moui-ners;  their  store-houses  were  rifled,  and 
their  crops  destroyed.  Nor  were  their  allies,  the  Waoranecks,  more 
fortunate.  Although  their  territory  had  not  been  invaded,  nor  their 
villages  burned,  they  were  not  the  less  subdued;  the  embers  of  their 
forest  worship,  which  had  for  ages  been  lighted  on  the  Dans-Kammer, 
were  extinguished  forever.  In  the  spring  following,  Sewackenamo,  in 
conference  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  lifted  up  his  voice  in  prayer  to  his  God 
— Bachtamo — that  ''something  good"  might  be  concluded  with  the 
Dutch,  and  there  executed  a  treaty  by  the  terms  of  wliich  all  that 
had  passed  was  to  be  forgiven  and  forgotten;  the  lands  claimed  by 
the  Dutch,  and  now  conquered  by  the  sword,  were  to  remain  the 
property  of  the  conquerors,  and  the  vanquished  were  not  to  approach 
the  Dutch  settlements  with  arms.  This  treaty  was  ratified  (Maj^  16, 
1664,)  amid  the  roar  of  cannon,  and  was  celebrated  by  a  public 
thanksgiving.  With  its  conclusion  was  also  closed  the  struggle  of 
the  aboriginal  clans  for  the  possession  of  their  ancient  seats  on  the 
western  slope  of  the  valley  of  the  Hudson.  Their  retreating  foot- 
steps were  yet  to  -be  marked  on  advancing  frontiers  by  blazing  torch 
and  branding  tomahawk;  but  from  the  blue  hills  of  Katskill  to  the 
southern  verge  of  the  Highlands  they  only  awaited  the  granting  of 
title  deeds  to  their  successors.  The  fertile  fields  of  those  who,  a  half 
century  before,  had  gazed  in  awe  upon  the  sleeping  navigator's  ship 
beside  the  "  northernmost  of  the  mountains,"  were  prepared  for  the 
sturdy  immigrants  from  Europe. 


LAND  TITLES-FIRST  SETTLEMENTS.  19 


CHAPTER  II. 

ABORIGINAL    DEEDS — -LAND    PATENTS — FIRST    SETTLEMENTS. 

1664—1709. 


THE  Eng-livsh  succeeded  the  Dutch  in  the  g-overnment  of  New  Neth- 
evland  on  the  6th  of  September,  1664.  The  latter  had  performed 
the  task  assigned  to  them;  had  introduced  the  religion,  the  jurispru- 
dence, the  customs  of  the  Fatherland;  had  prepared  the  way  for  the 
mingling  of  creeds  and  races,  and  the  development  of  the  principles 
of  civil  liberty.  A  stronger  hand  was  now  to  take  the  direction;  a 
common  flag  to  float  from  the  rugged  cliflFs  of  the  north  to  the  savan- 
nas of  the  south;  a  fresh  impulse  to  be  given  to  immigration.  The 
title  of  the  province  was  changed;  New  Amsterdam  became  New 
York;  Fort  Orange  was  christened  Albany;  changes  were  made  in 
the  administration  of  the  government;  treaties  were  renewed  with 
the  Indians.  When  this  work  was  accomplished.  Governor  Nicolls 
wrote:  "The  lands  which  I  intend  shall  be  first  planted,  are  those 
upon  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  river,  at  or  adjoining  to  the  Sopes;" 
and  having,  in  his  treaty  with  the  Warranawovkongs,  secured  a  clear 
definition  of  the  bounds  of  the  tract  which  the  Dutch  had  previously 
"  conquered  by  the  sword,"  he  added:  "  The  Governor  hath  purchased 
all  the  Sopes  land,  which  is  now  readj^  for  planters  to  put  the  plow 
into,  it  being  clear  ground."  The  declaration  was  not  a  literal  fact; 
the  tract  which  the  Indians  had  been  compelled  to  yield  embraced 
scarce  three  townships;  but  practically  there  was  no  substantial  im- 
pediment to  the  occupation  of  the  territory  designated. 

While  this  preparation  was  going  forward,  in  the  Old  World  relig- 
ious intolerance  was  scattering  its  victims  broadcast.  France  sent 
forth  her  thrifty  Huguenots;  Scotland,  her  implacable  Presbyterians; 
the  Palatinate,  her  impoverished  husbandmen.  On  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  fragments  rent  from  these  nationalities  met,  and  carved  out, 
in  the  forest  depths,  new  homes.  The  "  Christian  patented  lands  of 
Haverstraw,"  as  they  are  termed  in  tlie  records,  were  the  first  to  re- 
ceive immigrants  under  the  new  regime.  Balthazer  de  Hart  and  his 
brother  Jacob,  among  the  earlier  immigrants  from  Holland,  had  loca- 
ted in  New  Amsterdam,  and  there  subscribed  their  names  to  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  Duke  of  York.     The  former,  engaged  in  trade, 

02 


20  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


had  secured  a  comfortable  subsistence,  his  house  being  rated  at  two 
thousand  florins.  Prior  to  July  31,  1666,  he  had  purchased  from  the 
Indians,  "  all  that  tract  of  land  lying  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's 
river  called  Haverstraw,  being  on  the  north  side  of  the  hills  called 
Verdrietig  hook,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Highlands,  on  the  east  side 
of  the  mountains  so  that  the  same  is  bounded  by  Hudson's  river 
and  round  about  by  the  high  mountains."  Presuming  that  the  tract 
was  included  in  the  boundaries  of  New  Jersey,  he  obtained  from  Car- 
teret and  the  council  of  that  province,  a  patent,*  and  transferred  his 
interest  to  Nicholas  Depuy  and  Peter  Jacobs  Marius.  On  subsequent 
purchase  and  patent  he  acquired  (April  10,  1671,)  the  "parcels  of 
land  called  by  the  Indian  names  of  Newai<:inL,  Yandakah,  Caquaney 
and  Aquaonak,  bounded  on  the  west  by  a  creek  called  Mcni>iakcungue, 
on  the  east  and  north  by  Hudson's  river,  and  on  the  south  by  the 
mountains,"  which  became  the  property  of  his  brother,  Jacob;  and 
also  a  tract  "known  by  the  name  of  Ahequerenoy,"  which,  with  a 
portion  of  the  previous  purchase,  came  to  the  possession  of  Hendrick 
Ryker, — the  whole  becoming  the  basis  of  the  boundaries  ol'  all  sub- 
sequent grants  in  the  district. 

The  second  settlement  was  un  the  extreme  north  of  the  district  the 
history  of  which  we  are  considering.  Louis  DuBois,  a  Hiiguenot 
pioneer,  driven  thither  by  the  pending  persecutions  of  the  people  of 
his  faith  in  France,  located,  with  some  of  liis  friends,  at  Esopus  in 
1660.  Contributing  the  captivity  of  his  wife  and  children  to  the  In- 
dian war  of  1663,  he  siibsequently  induced  several  families  of  his 
countrymen,  who  were  more  recent  innnigrants,  to  unite  with  him  in 
establishing  a  French  town.  Twelve  men,  known  as  the  "Twelve 
Patentees,"  w(U-e  selected  to  obtain  title  to  lands,  who,  after  an  ex- 
amination of  the  country,  jiurchased  from  the  Indian  proprietors 
(May  26,  1677,)  a  tract  of  36,000  acres,  lying  immediately  south  of 
the  "  Redoute  creek,"  as  the  Warranawonkovg  came  to  be  called. 
On  the  29th  of  September,  following,  a  patent  was  obtained  from 
Governor  Andros,  in  the  name  of  "  Louis  du  Bois  and  his  partners, 
that  is.  Christian  Doyau,  Abraham  Hasbroucq,  Andre  le  Febvre, 
Jean  Hasbroucq,  Pierre  Doyau,  Louis  Beviere,  Anthoine  Crespel, 
Abraham  du  Bois,  Hugue  Frere,  Isaac  du  Bois,  and  Simon  le  Febvre, 
their  heirs  and  others," — men  whose  names  live  in  the  annals  of  their 
adopted  country.  On  this  patent  nine  families  immediately  settled,  and 
laid,  in  the  faith  which  they  professed,  the  foundations  of  New  Paltz. 

The  third  settlement  was  about  midway  between  those  already  de- 
scribed.     Patrick  MacGregorie;    his  brother-in-law,  David   Toshuck, 


*The  grant  was  subsequently  confirmed  by  the  Governor  and  Council  of  New  York.— 
The  patent  is  of  record  in  New  Jersey. 


LAND  TITLES— FIRST  SETTLEMENTS.  21 


wlio  subscribed  his  name  "  Laird  of  Minivard,"  aiid  twenty-five 
others,  principally  Scotch  Presbyterians,  entered  upon  lands  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Waorane.ck.  It  was  their  tn-iginal  intention  to  settle  in 
New  Jersey,  but  they  were  persuaded  by  Governor  Dongan  to  take 
up  lands  in  New  York.  Obtaining-  a  license  for  that  purpose,  Mac- 
Gregorie,  acting  as  their  representative,  purchased  for  his  people  a 
tract  of  four  thousand  acres,  embracing  lands  on  both  sides  of  Mur- 
derer's creek,  "  and  so  settled  themselves,  their  families  and  sundry 
of  their  servants  on  the  land  so  purchased,  and  were  not  oidy  the 
first  Christians  that  settled  and  improved  thereon,  but  also  peaceably 
and  quietly  possessed  and  enjoyed  themselves  during  the  term  of 
their  natural  lives."  On  what  is  now  known  as  Plum  Point,  but  which 
was  then  called,  from  its  abm-iginal  owner,  Comvanham's  Mil,  Mac- 
Gregorie  reared  his  cabin,  and  in  the  same  vicinity  were  the  cabins  of 
his  associates,  William  Chambers,  William  Sutherland,  and  one  Col- 
lum,  while  on  the  south  side  of  the  creek  the  "  Laird  of  Minivard," 
and  his  servant,  Daniel  Maskrig,  established  a  trading  post. 

Unfortunately,  MacGregorie  did  not  perfect  his  title  by  patent. 
Trusting  to  Governor  Dongan  to  protect  his  interests,  he  entered  the 
service  of  the  state,  while  Dongan  obtained  by  purchase  on  his  own 
account  (Oct.  25,  1684),  from  "  Mangenaett,  Tsema,  Keghgekapowell 
alias  Joghem,  three  Indians  native  proprietors  and  principal  owners, 
with  the  consent  of  Pemeranaghiv ,  chief  sachem  of  Esopus  Indians," 
a  tract  described  as  extending  from  "  the  Paltz  along  Hudson's  river 
to  the  land  belonging  to  the  Indians  at  the  Murderer's  kill,  thence 
westward  to  the  foot  of  the  high  hills  called  Pithixkal-er  and  Aia^Jca- 
wastivg,  thence  southwesterly  all  along  the  said  hills  and  the  river 
called  Peafradaxavk  to  a  water  pond  lying  upon  said  hills  called 
Meretange,  comprehending  all  those  lands,  meadows  and  woods  called 
NeMcolank,  Chawavgon,  Memoradvfr,  Kakoghgetawnarnuch,  and  Ghitta- 
tmvaghr  The  consideration  was  the  sum  of  ninety  pounds  and 
eleven  shillings,  in  the  following  goods:  "10  fathoms  blue  duftels,  10 
fathoms  of  red  duffels,  200  fathoms  white  wampum,  10  fathoms  stroud 
water  (red  cloth),  10  fathoms  blue  cloth,  10  blankets,  10  guns,  10 
kettles,  10  duifel  coats,  10  drawing  knives,  10  shirts,  10  tobacco 
boxes,  10  children's  duifel  coats,  10  children's  shirts,  10  pairs  of  hose, 
50  lbs.  powder,  50  bars  lead,  10  ]iair  shoes,  10  cutlasses,  10  hatchets, 
10  hoes,  10  scissors,  10  tobacco  tongues,  100  flints,  2  I'olls  tobacco,  20 
gals,  rum,  2  vats  strong  beer,  and  1  barrel  cider." 

To  this  purchase  he  added  (April  16,  1684),  by  deed  from  Were- 
kepes,  sachem,  Sackaghfvieck ,  SeioiMamock  alias  Hans,  Apiskaeuw, 
Cashoros,  Csquavieck,  Morivgamaghan,  Pughghock,  and  Kaghtsikoox,  the 
lands  owned  by  "  themselves  and  copartners,"  being  a  tract  begin- 


22  GENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


ning  "  at  about  a  place  called  tlie  Diincing  Chamber,  thence  south  to 
the  north  side  of  the  land  called  Haverstraw,  thence  iiortli-west  along: 
the  liill  called  Skoonnenoghhy  to  the  bounds  of  his  purchase  from  the 
Esopus  Indians  aforesaid,  including  the  Murderer's  creek."  The  con- 
sideration was:  150  fathoms  of  wampum,  120  royals,  20  fathoms  duf- 
fels, 6  guns,  7  brass  kettles,  8  blankets,  6  i'athonis  strouds,  2  cloth 
coats,  2  broad  axes,  5  pair  shoes,  6  children's  shirts,  20  knives,  50  lbs. 
powder,  30  l)ars  lead,  25  lbs.  shot,  2  rolls  tobacco,  4  iron  pots,  10  to- 
bacco tongues,  10  tobacco  boxes,  4  lbs.  bood,  2  half  vats  single 
beer,  2  half  vats  double  beer,  5  glass  bottles,  5  earthen  jugs,  2  pew- 
ter dishes,  2  bottles  witli  rum,  100  tobacco  pipes,  10  luitchets,  6  draw- 
ing knives,  4  addz,  10  lioes,  10  pair  stocking's,  8  shirts,  6  pistols,  10 
cliildren's  blankets,  2  boys'  cloth  coats,  6  boys'  duffel  coats,  20  gallons 
rum,  £2  *  paid  Frederick  Phillipse,  i£2  paid  Stephanus  Van  Ct)rtlandt. 

Not  only  had  the  Indians  previously  sold  to  MacGregorie  a  portion 
of  the  lands  which  by  this  sale  they  conveyed  to  Dongan,  but  Step- 
hanus Van  Cortlandt  held  their  deed  for  a  tract  opposite  Anthony's 
Nose.  Tiie  purchase  was  made  July  13,  1()83,  and  the  tract  describ- 
ed as  "  beginning  on  the  south  side  of  a  creek  called  Sankapogh,  and 
so  along  said  creek  to  the  head  thereof,  and  then  northerly  along 
the  higli  hills  as  the  river  runneth,  to  another  creek  called  Aamiapink, 
and  thence  along  the  said  creek  to  Hudson's  river  again,  together  with 
a  certain  island  and  parcel  of  meadow  land,  near  or  adjoining  the 
same,  called  Manaliaivaghkin,  and  by  the  Christians,  Salisbury  island." 
Sackaghemeck,  sachem  of  Haverstraw,  Werckepen,  and  Kaghfsikoos, 
were  the  grantors.  Luckily,  he  preserved  his  deed,  and  under  it 
succeeded  in  obtaining  a  patent  attaching  his  purchase  to  his  manor, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 

But  the  MacGi'egorie  colonists  were  not  so  fortunate.  Governor 
Dongan  conveyed  his  two  purchases  to  Captain  John  Evans,  by  pat- 
ent, Sept.  12,  1694,  under  the  title  of  the  Lordship  and  Manor  of 
Fletcherdon.  MacGregorie,  after  serving  the  province  in  the  capaci- 
ty of  Muster-General  of  the  militia  and  as  its  agent  among  the  north- 
western Indians  in  a  district  of  country  which  had  not  been  previously 
visited,  had  yielded  up  his  life  in  the  Leisler  revolution  of  1691;  and 
a  peaceful  death  had  closed  the  earthly  cares  of  David  Toshuck  in  the 
bosom  of  his  family  at  Plum  Point.  To  dispossess  the  heirs  was  the 
first  work  of  Evans,  to  whose  shame  it  is  written  that  he  compelled 
MacGregorie's  widow,  Margaret,  to  sell  to  him  the  house  in  which 
she  lived  for  "  £30  or  £S5,  to  the  ruin  of  herself  and  family."  To 
her  and  to  her  surviving  neighbors  he  then  granted  leases,  thus  pre- 
serving title  and  possession  as  well  as  the  continuity  of  the  settle- 

*  The  pounds  of  this  period  were  of  about  the  vahie  of  an  United  States  dollar. 


LAND  TITLES— FIRST  SllTTLEMENTS.  23 


ment.  The  Scotch  settlers  who  remained  in  possession  under  these 
leastjs  obtained  no  subsequent  patent  titles,  except  in  the  case  of  the 
heirs  of  MacGreg'orie,  to  whom,  some  years  later,  a  patent  was  grant- 
ed for  tiie  Plum  Point  farm,  and  also  for  a  mountain  tract,  in  conside- 
ration of  their  claim. 

Tlie  fourth  settlement,  and  by  far  the  most  considerable,  was  made 
adjoining  the  "Christian  patented  lands  of  Haverstraw."  It  was  com- 
posed of  immigrants  from  Holland,  principally  members  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  Church.  Among  them  were  descendants  or  relatives  of 
David  Pieterson  de  Vries,  who  had  occupied  a  conspicuous  position  in 
the  earlier  history  of  the  province,  and  had  established  a  plantation 
which  he  called  Vriesendael,  situated  "  in  a  beautiful  valley  just  be- 
low the  mountains."  Driven  thence  during  the  war  of  1645,  he  had 
taken  to  Holland  a  memory  which  had  been  treasured  by  his  family 
and  neighbors,  whu,  on  their  arrival,  selected  a  location  in  the  vicinity 
of  if  not  embracing  the  site  of  his  ancient  "little  bouwerie."  Ob- 
taining, through  trustees  selected  for  that  purpose,  a  title  from  "  the 
native  Indian  proprietors,"  and  being  in  numbers  sutficient  to  demand 
it,  they  were  granted  (Marcii  20,  1(JS6,)  a  township  patent,  "under 
the  name  of  the  Town  of  Orange,"  with  all  the  powers  "practiced 
or  belonging  unto  any  town  within  this  Government."  The  trustees 
of  the  grant  \yere:  Cornells  Claessen  Cuyper,  Daniel  de  Klercke,  Peter 
Harnich,  Cattis  Harnich,  Gerritt  Steumetts,  John  de  Vries,  Sr.,  John 
de  Vries,  Jr.,  Claes  Mannde,  Jan  Stratemaker,  Staaes  de  Groot,  Arean 
Lannneates,  Lamont  Arianuis,  Huybert  Gerryts,  Johannes  Gerrits, 
Eide  Van  Vorst,  and  Cornelius  Lammerts.  The  boundaries  of  the 
tract  were  defined  as  "  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Tappan  creek 
where  it  falls  into  the  meadow  and  running  from  thence  along  the 
north  side  of  the  said  creek  to  a  creeple  bush  and  falls  into  Hack- 
insack  river,  northerly  to  a  place  called  the  Greenbush  and  from 
thence  along  said  Greenbush  easterly  to  the  lands  of  Class  Janse 
and  Dowe  Harmanse,*  and  from  thence  southerly  along  said  land 
upon  the  top  of  the  hills  to  the  afoi'ementioned  mouth  of  Tappan 
creek  where  it  falls  into  the  meadow  afuresaid."  The  center  of  tlie 
township  was  at  Tappan,  where  a  Glebe  for  the  support  of  a  minister 
was  laid  out  and  a  church  organized."]" 

A  vacant  tract  of  land,  immediately  west  of  Haverstraw,  was 
conveyed  by  deed  and  patent  (the  latter,  June  25,  1696,)  to  Daniel 
Honan  and  Michael  Hawdon.     This  tract,  which  is  described  as  being 


*  Probably  Harmau  Dowson  who  had  taken  up  a  tract  called  Pessatinck,  on  Hackin- 
sack  river. 

t  The  Kefurmed  Protestant  Dutch.     It  was  organized  Oct.  24, 1694.     The  first  preacher 
■  was  the  Rev.  Guilliam  Bartholf.      The  first  cliurch  edifice  was  erected  in  1716.     The 
Glebe  consisted  of  55  acres. 


24  GENERAL  HIS  TOBY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


known  by  the  name  of  Kuck-quack-ta-wake  (Kixkisite) ,  was  "  bounded  on 
the  east  by  the  Christian  patented  lands  of  Haverstraw,  on  the  north  by 
a  creek  called  Shamorack  or  Feasqua,  which  runs  under  a  great  hill, 
from  which  it  continues  a  west  course  until  the  west-south-west  side 
of  a  barren  plain  called  Wishpegivrap  bears  south,  thence  to  the  west- 
south-west  side  of  aforesaid  plain,  from  thence  south-south-west  until 
the  said  line  comes  to  a  creek  that  runs  to  David  Demaree's  creek  to 
the  south  side  of  the  land  called  Marranchaw,  and  thence  down  the 
said  creek  to  the  Ciiristian  patented  lands."  Adjoining-  this  tract  on 
the  south,  Samuel  Bayard  was  granted  certain  tracts  called  Whori- 
nims,  Ferseck,  Gemackie  and  Narrashunck,  "  bounded  north  by  the 
land  of  Daniel  Honan  and  Michael  Hawdon,  south  by  the  parting- 
line  of  this  Province  and  the  Jerseys,  west  by  Saddle  river,  and  east 
by  Demarree's  creek,"  containing  two  thousand  acres.  The  Indian 
deed  for  this  and  several  other  purchases,  was  covered  by  one  to 
Lucas  Tienhoven,  embracing  by  survey  one  hundred  thousand  acres, 
but  for  which  no  patent  was  issued. 

Between  the  township  of  Orange  and  the  Haverstraw  lands  the 
rocky  bluff  known  as  Verdrietig  hook,  by  the  Indians  called  Quas- 
peeck,  including  Rockland  lake,  became  the  subject  of  controversy  be- 
tween "John  Hutchins  and  Company,"  and  "  Jarvis  Marshall  and 
Company."  Both  parties  obtained  deeds,  but  the  latter  apparently 
had  priority  in  date  of  purchase  and  were  granted  (Sept.  27,  1694,) 
the  patent,  the  patentees  being  Jarvis  Marshall  and  William  Welch. 
At  a  later  period  (April  23,  11 0«,)  a  patent  to  Lancaster  Syms,  Rob- 
ert Walter,  and  Hendrick  Ten  Eycke  covered  the  vacant  river  front, 
described  as  "  beginning  by  the  south  bounds  of  Haverstraw,  thence 
west  to  the  northerinost  end  of  the  land  or  island  called  Mattasink  or 
Welch's  island,  thence  southerly  to  the  southermost  end  of  said  island, 
then  east  to  the  creek  that  runs  out  of  the  pond  upon  Verdrietig  hook 
and  along  the  same  to  the  Hudson,  then  north  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning, except  the  grant  to  Honan  and  Hawdon." 

The  patents  described  covered  the  entire  district  on  the  Hudson 
from  the  New  Jersey  line  to  New  Paltz,  and  extended  west  to  the 
line  of  the  Shawangunk  mountains.  While  they  were  being  taken 
up,  some  entries  had  also  been  made  on  the  Delaware  river.  Arent 
Schuyler,  employed  by  the  government  as  an  interpreter  of  the  Indian 
language  and  as  an  agent  among  the  Indian  tribes,  obtained  (May 
20,  1B97),  on  previous  deed  from  the  Minnisinks,  a  patent  for  one 
thousand  acres,  more  particularly  described  as  a  "  tract  of  land  in  the 
Minnisink  country  called  by  the  native  Indians  Sankhekeneck,  other- 
wise Mayhawaem;  also,  another  tract  called  Warinsayskmeck,  situa- 
ted upon  a  river  called  Mennessincks  before  a  certain  island  called 


LAND  TITLES-FIRST  SETTLEMENTS.  25 


Menagnock,  which  tract  is  adjacent  or  near  to  a  tract  f)f  land  called 
llaghaghkemekJ'  In  tlie  same  year  (Oct.  14,)  a  patent  was  granted 
to  Jacob  Codebec,  Tliomas  Swartwout,  Anthony  Swartwout,  Bernar- 
dus  Swartwout,  Jan  Tyse,  Peter  Gimar,  and  David  Jamison,  tor  "  a 
certain  quantity  of  land  at  a  place  called  Maghaghkemek,  being-  the 
quantity  of  one  thousand  two  hundred  acres;  beginning  at  the  west- 
ern bounds  of  the  lands  called  Nepenec.k,  to  a  small  stream  of  water 
called  by  the  Indian  name  of  Assawaghkemeck,  and  so  along  said  run 
of  water  and  the  lands  of  Manxjoor  the  Indian." 

It  has  been  claimed  that  there  was  a  settlement  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Swartwout  patent  sometime  prior  to  the  date  of  that  instrument. 
At  an  early  period  that  known  as  "the  old  mine  road"  was  open- 
ed between  Esopiis  and  the  Delaware,  constructed,  it  is  said,  by  a 
company  of  Dutch  miners.  This  road  ran  through  the  Mamakating 
valley,  north  of  the  Shawangunk  mountains,  was  continued  in  the 
valley  of  the  Maghaghkemek  branch  of  the  Delaware,  and  penetrat- 
ed the  Minnisinks  proper  east  of  that  river.  Here,  it  is  added,  the 
company  discovered  copper,  w^orked  a  mine  and  transported  its  pro- 
duct over  the  road  which  they  had  constructed  to  the  Esopus  settle- 
ment. Unfortunately  for  the  value  of  the  tradition,  the  road  was 
simply  the  enlargement  of  an  Indian  trail  which  had  been  followed 
for  ages,  while  tlie  mine  referred  to  was  in  what  is  now  the  town  of 
Warren,  Sussex  county.  New  Jersey.  The  boundaries  of  the  ques- 
tion are  still  further  circumscribed  by  the  fact  that  the  Dutch  at 
'  Esopus,  during  the  war  of  1660,-'63,  had  little  knowledge  of  the 
country  even  east  of  the  Shawangunk  mountains,  and  that  the  Min- 
nisink  country  was  penetrated,  if  at  a  much  earlier  period,  by  the  way 
of  the  Delaware  river. 

Nor  is  it  true  that  the  first  settlement  was  on  the  Swartwout  pat- 
ent. At  the  date  of  issue  of  that  patent,  Jacob  Codebac,  Thomas 
Swartwout,  Anthony  Swartwout  and  Peter  Gimar*  were  residents  of 
New  Paltz  or  of  Kingston.  They  certainly  had  not  made  settlement 
on  the  Delaware  in  1690.  But  there  was  settlement  there,  about  that 
time,  by  one  William  Tietsoort,f  a  blacksmith,  who  in  a  petition  to 
the  governor  and  council  of  New  York,  dated  April  10,  1708,  states 
that  he  was  formerly  a  resident  of  Schenectady,  and  that  from  the 
massacre  at  that  place,  in  1689,  he   barely  escaped  with  his  life;  that 


*  Peter  Guimar,  a  native  of  Moir  Saintonge,  was  married  to  Esther  Hasbroucq,  native 
of  the  Palatinate,  at  New  Paltz,  April  18th,  1692.  He  left  his  native  place  in  company 
with  Codebec  in  1685,  or  rather  the  families  of  Abraham  Giimiar  and  James  Codebec,  of 
which  he  and  Jacob  Codebec  were  minor  members,  came  out  together. 

t  It  is  by  no  means  an  improbable  presumption  that  the  Jan  Tyse,  named  in  the  Code- 
bac patent,  was  the  son  ot  William  Tietsoort.  There  is  a  similarity  in  the  sound  of  the 
names  indicating  clerical  error  in  the  orthography  of  the  entry.  Errors  of  this  kind 
are  not  uncommon. 


26  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


having'  friends  in  the  Esopus  country  he  removed  thither,  where,  being 
known  by 'the  friendly  Indians,  he  was  invited  by  them  to  take  up 
his  residence  in  the  Minnisink  country,  the  Indians  voluntarily  grant- 
ing- unto  him  a  tract  of  land  situate  and  being  at  Maghaghkemek, 
named  and  known  by  the  name  of  Schaikaeckamick,  in  an  elbow; 
that  he  obtained  license  to  purchase,  Oct.  15,  1698,  that  he  so  pur- 
chased, and  that  his  possessions  were  subsequently  assumed  to  be 
included  in  a  purchase  by  and  patent  to  Matthew  Ling,  against 
which  he  asked  protection.  There  is  very  little  room  to  doubt  that 
he  was  the  first  settler  on  the  western  border. 

Active  competition  in  the  obtaining  of  patents  sprang  up  at  the 
opening  of  the  succeeding  century.  Associations  were  formed,  not 
unfrequently  mainly  comp(jsed  of  those  holding  official  positions 
under  the  goveriuBent,  and  large  grants  obtained.  Three  principal 
patents  of  this  class,  necessarily  require  notice  in  this  connection. 
The  first,  the  Chesekook  Patent,  was  included  in  a  purchase  from 
"  Moringamaghan,  Skawgas,  Ughquaw,  Onickotapp,  and  Aioqhquaherae, 
native  Indians,  proprietors,"  December  30,  1702,  by  "  Doctor  John 
Bridges,  Hendrick  Ten  Eycke,  Derick  Vandenburgh,  John  Cholwell, 
Christopher  Denn,  Lancaster  Syms,  and  John  Merritt,"  of  a  "  certain 
tract  of  upland  and  meadow  called  Chesekook,  bounded  north  by 
the  patent  line  of  Captain  John  Evans,  to  the  west  by  the  high 
hills  of  the  Highlands,  to  the  south  by  Honan  and  Hawdon's  patent, 
and  to  the  east  by  the  lands  of  the  bounds  of  Haverstraw  and  Hud- 
son's river,"  and  for  which  they  received  a  patent  March  25,  1707. 
The  second,  the  Wawayanda  Patent,  was  on  a  purchase  (March  5, 
1703,)  from  Bapingonick,  Wawadawa,  Mogkopuck,  Cornelawaw,  Nan- 
awitt,  Arawinack,  Rombout,  Glaus,  Chouckhass,  Chingapaiv,  Oshasque- 
memus,  and  Quilapaw,  native  Indians  and  proprietors,"  by  "Doctor 
John  Bridges,  Hendrick  Ten  Eycke,  Derick  Vandenburgh,  John  Chol- 
well, Christopher  Denn,  Lancaster  Syms,  Daniel  Honan,  Philip  Roke- 
by,  John  Merritt,  Benjamin  Aske,  Peter  Mathews,  and  Cornelius 
Christianse,"  for  a  "certain  sum  of  money  and  goods,"  of  "certain 
tracts  or  parcels  of  vacant  lands  named  Wawayanda,  and  some  other 
small  tracts  or  parcels  of  land,  being  bounded  on  the  eastward  by 
the  high  hills  of  the  Highlands  and  the  patent  of  Capt.  John  Evans, 
on  the  north  by  the  division  line  of  the  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster, 
on  the  westward  by  the  high  hills  to  the  eastward  of  Minnisinks,  and 
on  the  south  by  the  division  line  of  the  provinces  of  New  York  and 
East  Jersey."     The  patent  was  granted  April  29,  1703. 

The  third  grant,  the  Minnisink  Patent,  was  still  more  extensive. 
It  was  issued  August  28,  1704,  to  Matthew  Ling,  Ebenezer  Wilson, 
Philip  French,  Derick  Vandenburgh,  Stephen  de  Lancey,  Philip  Roke- 


APPROXIMATE   LOCATION    OF  ORIGINAL  PATENTS. 


LAND  TITLES— FIRST  SETTLEMENTS.  /27 


by,  John  Corbett,  Daniel  Honan,  Caleb  Cooper,  William  Sharpas, 
Robert  Milward,  Thomas  Wenham,  Lancaster  Syms,  John  Person, 
Benjamin  Aske,  Petrus  Bayard,  John  Cholwell,  Peter  Faiiconier, 
Henry  Swift,  Hendrick  Ten  Eycke,  Jarvis  Marshall,  Ann  Bridges, 
(widow  of  John  Bridges),  and  George  Clark,  and  conveyed  to  them 
"  all  that  part  of  Orange  and  Ulster  counties,  beginning  at  a  place 
in  Ulster  county  called  Hunting  House,  or  Yagh  House,  lying  to  the 
north-east  of  land  called  Bashe's  land,  thence  to  run  west  by  north 
until  it  meets  the  Fishkill  or  main  branch  of  Delaware  river,  thence 
to  run  southerly  to  the  south  end  of  Great  Minnisink  Island,  thence 
due  south  to  the  land  lately  granted  to  John  Bridges  and  Company 
(Wawayanda),  and  so  along  that  patent  as  it  runs  northward  and 
the  patent  of  Captain  John  Evans,  and  thence  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning." The  grant  consolidated  two  grants,  one  to  Philip  French  and 
Company  and  one  to  Ebenezer  Wilson  and  Company,  and  only  ex- 
cepted from  its  sweeping  boundaries  the  tract  called  Sankhekeneck  or 
Mayhawasin,  with  a  parcel  of  meadow  called  Warinaayskmeck,  pre- 
viously granted  to  Arent  Schuyler,  and  a  tract  called  Maghaghkemek, 
near  Nepenevk,  granted  to  Jacob  Codebac,  and  others. 

Had  the  purchasers  a  deed  from  the  Indians  ?  Not  only  is  there 
none  on  record,  but  Sir  William  Johnson  writes:  "An  elderly  man 
who  lived  in  the  Highlands,  and  at  whose  house  I  dined  on  my  way 
from  New  York  some  years  ago,  told  me  that  he  lived  with  or  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Depuy,  and  was  present  when  the  said  Depuy  *  pur- 
chased the  Minnisink  lands  from  the  Indians;  that  when  they  were  to 
sign  the  deed  of  sale  he  made  them  drunk  and  never  paid  them  the 
money  agreed  upon.  He  heard  the  Indians  frequently  complain  of 
the  fraud,  and  declare  that  they  would  never  be  easy  until  they  had 
satisfaction  for  their  lands."  f  When,  in  1757  the  wronged  red  men 
swept  the  western  border  with  devastation,  it  was  their  declaration 
that  they  would  never  "  leave  ofl"  killing  the  English  until  they  were 
paid  for  their  lands,  mentioning  Minnisink  almost  to  Hudson's  river." 

The  boundary  lines  of  the  Chesekook,  Wawayanda,  Minnisink, 
and  Evans  patents,  were,  for  a  long  time,  a  disturbing  element. 
They  were  entirely  undetined,  except  in  general  terms.  The  west 
line  of  Chesekook  and  the  east  line  of  Wawayanda  was  designated 
by  a  mountain  range;  the  east  line  of  Minnisink  and  the  west  line  of 
Wawayanda  was  also  a  mountain  range,  and  so  in  part  was  the  north 
line  of  both  the  Chesekook  and  the  Wawayanda,  or  rather  the  south- 


*  Samuel  Depuy  was  settled  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Delaware,  three  miles  above  the 
Water  Gap.  He  was  one  of  the  Walloons  who  came  to  New  York  about  1()97.  He  be- 
came a  large  land  owner  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  well  known  to  all  who  traveled  "  the 
mine-road."    It  is  possible  that  he  is  referred  to  in  the  text. 

t  MSS.  of  Sh  Wm.  Johnson,  XXIV.,  14. 


28  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


west  line  of  the  Evans  patent  to  which  they  ran.  In  the  subsequent 
adjustment  of  the  latter,  together  with  that  of  the  county  line,  a  por- 
tion of  the  territory  claimed  by  the  Wawaj'^anda  patentees  was  cut 
ofl',  while  on  the  west  an  angle  was  formed,  known  as  the  Minnisink 
Angle,  embracing  a  tract  of  one  Inmdred  and  thirty  thousand  acres. 

The  granting  of  immense  tracts  of  land  aroused  the  attention  of 
the  English  government,  in  1698.  Investigation  followed  and  result- 
ed in  annulling  the  patent  to  Capt.  Evans,  by  Act  of  the  Assembly, 
May  12,  1699.  Notwithstanding  the  policy  of  issuing  patents  for 
small  tracts,  upon  which  the  repeal  of  the  Evans  patent  was  predi- 
cated, was  abandoned  in  the  almost  immediately  following  issue  of 
the  Wawayanda,  Minnisink,  and  similar  large  grants,  the  territory 
which  the  Evans  patent  covered  was  conveyed  in  small  tracts  by 
patents,  issued  at  different  periods  from  1701  to  1775,  but  principally 
prior  to  1750.  The  location  and  settlement  of  these  patents,  as  well 
as  extended  reference  to  the  settlement  of  the  Chesekook,  Wawa- 
yanda, and  Minnisink  patents,  will  be  given  in  connection  with  the 
history  of  the  towns  in  which  they  were  embraced  or  which  were 
formed  from  them.  It  is  through  them  that  w(,'  may  trace  the  foot- 
steps of  the  pioneers  as  they  advanced  from  the  Hudson  on  the  east, 
along  the  valley  of  the  Wallkill  from  the  north,  from  the  Delaware 
on  the  west,  and  from  Haverstraw  and  Orangetown  on  the  south-, — a 
race  of  bold  men  and  bra^ve  women. 

In  the  eimmeration  of  first  settlements  falling  properly  in  this  con- 
nection, that  of  the  Palatine  Parish  of  Quassaick  requires  notice. 
This  settlement  was  composed  of  Germans  from  the  Palatinate  of  the 
Rhine  who,  if  not  impoverished  as  principals  were  reduced  to  that 
condition  in  consequence  of  the  devastation  of  their  native  district 
by  the  order  and  armies  of  Louis  XIV.  Accepting  the  overtures  of 
the  English  government,  a  pioneer  company  reached  London  and  was 
from  thence  sent  by  the  government  to  America,  supplied  with  imple- 
ments required  for  the  construction  of  cabins  and  the  clearing  of  land, 
and  located  on  the  vacated  Evans  patent,  immediately  north  of  Quas- 
saick creek,  in  the  spring  of  1709.  This  settlement  formed  the  fourth 
principal  centre  of  population  in  the  district. 

The  progress  of  settlement  of  the  district  during  the  century  suc- 
ceeding the  discf)very,  aside  from  the  extinction  of  the  aboriginal 
title  and  the  issue  of  patents,  is  aproximately  conveyed  in  the  census 
of  1702,  by  which  it  appears  that  the  population  at  that  time,  exclu- 
sive of  the  MacGregorie  settlement,  consisted  of  forty-nine  men  be- 
tween the  ages  of  sixteen  and  sixty;  forty  married  women;  fifty-seven 
male  and  eighty-four  female  children;  thirteen  male  negroes,  seven 
negresses,  and  thirteen  negro  children. 


CIVIL  GOVEBNMENT.  29 


CHAPTER  III. 

CIVIL    GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION    OF   COUNTIES,   PRECINCTS,   AND   TOWNS. 

1683—1798. 


ry^MIE  civil  government  of  New  York,  under  the  Dutch,  was  an 
_L  extension  of  the  laws  and  customs  of  Holland.  Holland  was  an 
ag-greg-ate  of  towns,  each  providing  for  its  own  defense,  administering 
its  own  finances,  and  governing  itself  by  its  own  laws.  The  inhabi- 
tants of  the  towns  were  not,  however,  all  upon  an  equality.  To  en- 
title a  resident  to  every  municipal  franchise,  burghership  must  be  ac- 
quired. This  was  generally  obtained  by  the  payment  of  a  sum  of 
money,  and  the  registry  of  the  citizen's  name  upon  the  roll  of  burgh- 
ers. It  was  a  hereditary  francliise;  it  could  pass  by  marriage,  and 
it  could  be  acquired  by  females  as  well  as  males.  Foreigners,  also, 
after  a  year's  probation,  could  become  burghers.  The  burgher  right 
gave  to  the  citizen  freedom  of  trade,  exemption  from  toll,  special 
privileges  and  favors  in  prosecutions,  and  an  exclusive  eligibility  to 
municipal  office.  The  government  of  each  town  was  administered 
by  a  Board  of  Magistrates,  or  burgomasters,  and  a  certain  number  of 
schepens,  or  alderinen.  The  former  provided  for  the  public  safety,  at- 
tended to  the  police,  mustered  the  burgher  guard  in  case  of  danger, 
administered  the  finances,  and  assessed  the  taxes  to  be  paid  by  each 
individual.  In  general,  the  term  of  office  was  annual.  The  burgo- 
masters and  schepens  were  chosen  by  eight  or  nine  "  good  men " 
elected  by  the  wethouders,  or  inhabitants  possessed  of  a  certain  prop- 
erty qualification.  There  was  also  another  important  officer,  named 
the  schout,  who,  in  early  times,  was  appointed  by  the  court,  out  of  a 
triple  nomination  by  the  wethouders,  whose  duties  were  somewhat 
analagous  to  those  of  balifl  or  county  sheriff,  combining  with  them 
some  of  the  duties  of  a  prosecuting  attorney.* 

Among  the  inducements  offered  by  the  burgomasters  of  the  city  of 
Amsterdam,  to  those  who  were  "willing  to  settle- in  New  Netlier- 
land,"  was  the  assurance  that  the  place  "allotted  for  the  residence  of 
the  colonists,"  whether  called  "a  city  or  town,"  should  be  regulated, 
"respecting  the  police  or  distribution  of  justice,  and  especially  in  the 


*  Brodhead's  New  York,  I.,  453,  etc. 


30  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


matter  of  descents,  in  the  same  manner  as  in  Amsterdam;"  that 
each  town  should  "have  one  schout,  or  officer,  as  the  head  of  justice," 
appointed  as  in  Amsterdam;  three  burgomasters,  who  should  be  "ap- 
pointed by  the  common  burghers  out  of  the  most  honest,  fit  and  rich;" 
and  "  five  or  seven  schepens,  to  be  appointed  by  the  director-general 
out  of  double  that  number  of  persons  who  should  be  nominated  by 
the  wethouders.  The  schepens  were  to  have  jurisdiction  in  causes 
"for  all  sums  under  one  hundred  guilders,"  and  to  " pronounce  sen- 
tence in  all  criminal  causes,"  subject  to  appeal  to  the  director-gen- 
eral. Towns  of  two  hundred  families  were  to  be  empowered  to 
choose  a  common  council  of  twenty-one  persons"  to  take  the  direc- 
tion of  the  local  government,  appoint  the  burgomasters,  and  nomi- 
nate the  schepens. 

The  civil  governments  established  by  the  English  were  of  two 
classes.  The  New  England  colonies  were  under  charters,  or  grants 
of  the  crown,  enabling  the  people  to  elect  their  own  governors  and 
legislative  assemblies,  and  establish  courts  of  justice.  Virginia, 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  the  Carolinas,  and  Georgia,  had  royal  or 
provincial  governments  possessing  no  power  except  that  conferred 
directly  by  the  king;  their  governors  held  their  offices  at  the  king's 
appointment  and  during  his  pleasure;  councils,  selected  from  the 
principal  men  of  the  provinces,  acted  as  advisors  of  the  governors 
and  constituted  one  branch  of  the  legislatures;  no  laws  were  valid 
unless  approved  by  the  king.  The  government  of  New  Yoi'k  differed 
from  that  of  Virginia  in  this,  that  while  the  latter  had  been  founded 
as  an  English  province,  the  former  was  a  conquered  territory  in 
which  the  existing  laws  and  customs  could  not  be  inunediately  and 
radically  changed  without  serious  difficulty.  Nor  was  the  attempt 
made.  When  the  English  succeeded  the  Dutch,  the  latter  were  left 
for  some  time  undisturbed  in  the  franchises  which  they  had  enjoyed, 
and  were  permitted  to  grow  into  the  new  system  by  gradual  process. 
The  changes  which  were  immediately  made  were  more  in  terms 
than  in  substance.  "A  Court  of  Assizes  was  established,  which, 
like  its  New  Netherland  prototype,  was  the  supreme  tribunal  uf  the 
province,  having  both  law  and  equity,  as  well  as  appellate  jurisdic- 
tion. In  this  court  the  governor  and  his  counselors  possessed  the 
same  powers  that  had  formerly  been  exercised  by  the  Dutch  director 
and  his  counselors,  while  the  court  itself  was  invested  with  the  su- 
preme power  of  making,  altering,  and  abolishing  any  law  in  the  gov- 
ernment."*'^?Local  laws  were  left  untouched. 

But  there  was  an  English  element  in  the  province  to  be  consulted 
and  strengthened.     A   considerable  portion  of  Long   Island,   Staten 

*  Brodhead  11.,  62,  etc. 


CIVIL  OOVEBNMENT.  31 


Island,  and  Westchester,  had  been  settled  by  English  families,  of 
whom  those  living  on  Long  Island  were  already  organized  under  the 
charter  of  Connecticut.  To  continue  their  privileges,  as  well  as  to 
form  the  basis  of  the  new  system,  they  were  erected  into  a  shire  or 
county  under  the  name  of  Yorkshire,  and  divided  into  ridings,  dis- 
tricts or  precincts.  These  ridings  were  thi-ee  in  number:  "East 
Riding,"  including  what  is  now  Suffolk  county,  "  West  Riding,"  in- 
cluding Staten  Island,  Kings  county,  Newtown  and  part  of  West- 
chester county,  and  "  North  Riding,"  including  the  present  county  of 
Queens,  over  which  the  governor  and  council  were  to  appoint  a  high- 
sheriff"  every  year,  to  be  taken  from  each  riding  in  succession.  To 
each  riding  was  given  justices  of  the  peace,  who  were  to  continue  in 
office  during  the  governor's  pleasure,  and  who  were  to  hold  in  their 
respective  jurisdictions  a  court  of  sessions  three  times  in  each  year. 
Besides  their  local  duties,  the  high-sheriff"  and  the  justices  were  to  sit 
with  the  governor  and  his  council  in  the  Court  of  Assizes,  which  was 
to  meet  in  New  York  once  in  each  year.  In  the  deliberations  of  the 
court  the  Dutch  towns  of  New  York,  Albany,  and  Esopiis  had  no 
voice. 

In  establishing  a  code  of  laws  the  same  distinction  in  population 
was  observed.  Instead  of  inviting  delegates  from  the  several  towns 
of  the  province  to  meet  in  convention,  the  people  of  Long  Island  and 
Westchester  were  asked  to  do  so;  New  York,  Albany,  Esopus,  and 
other  Dutch  towns,  were  excluded.  Tlie  code  which  was  adopted  by 
this  convention, — which  met  at  Hempstead  on  the  28th  of  February, 
1665, — was  known  as  the  "Duke's  Laws,"  and  while  general  in 
most  of  its  provisions,  so  far  as  its  future  application  was  possible 
in  the  organization  of  towns,  was  primarily  local  in  its  force.  The 
Court  of  Assizes  was  recognized  as  an  existing  institution,  and  was 
to  hold  a  session  in  New  York  once  in  each  j'^ear;  but  in  pressing 
capital  cases,  the  governor  and  council  might  issue  commissions  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer.  Inferior  Courts  of  Sessions,  composed  of  the 
justices  of  the  peace,  were  also  continued  as  they  had  been  estab- 
lished. Trials  by  jurymen,  who  were  not  to  exceed  seven,  except  in 
capital  cases,  were  provided  for.  Arbitrators  might  be  appointed 
in  small  causes  between  neighbors.  Wherever  the  law  was  silent  in 
any  case,  the  Sessions  were  to  remit  it  to  the  next  Assizes,  where 
matters  of  equity  were  to  be  decided  and  punishment  awarded  "ac- 
cording to  the  discretion  of  the  bench,  and  not  contrary  to  the  known 
laws  of  England."  Each  town  was  given  "  a  local  court  for  the  trial 
of  causes  under  five  pounds,  which  was  to  be  held  by  the  constable 
and  six  overseers,  and  from  which  there  was  an  appeal  to  the  Ses- 
sions."     Eight  "men  of  good  fame  and  life,"  were  to  be  chosen  as 


32  OENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


overseers  of  each  town  by  a  majority  of  the  freeholders.  Pour  of 
these  overseers  retired  at  the  end  of  each  year,  and  from  them  a  con- 
stable was  to  be  annually  chosen,  on  the  first  or  second  of  April,  by 
the  freeholders,  who  was  to  be  confirmed  by  the  justices  at  the  next 
Sessions.  Tiie  constable  and  overseers  had  power  to  make  local  or- 
dinances in  their  several  towns.  A  high-sheriff"  was  to  be  annually 
appointed  by  the  governor  from  each  riding  in  rotation,  and  also  an 
under-sheriff  or  high  constable  in  each  riding.  Justices  of*  the  peace 
were  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor  and  continued  in  office  during 
his  pleasure.  Assessments  were  to  be  made  in  every  year,  after  the 
first  of  June,  by  the  officers  of  each  town.  Provision  was  made  for 
the  enforcement  of  the  rates  imposed;  and  general  regulations  in  re- 
gard to  the  tenure  of  lands  and  other  matters,  were  adopted. 

No  material  changes  were  made  in  this  system  until  1682,  when, 
yielding  to  the  demand  of  the  people  for  a  representative  govern- 
ment, the  king  appointed  Colonel  Thomas  Dongan  governor  of  the 
province  and  gave  him  instructions  to  organize  a  new  council,  to  be 
composed  of  not  exceeding  ten  of  "the  most  eminent  inhabitants," 
and  to  issue  writs  to  the  proper  officers  for  the  election  of  "a  gener- 
al assembly  of  all  the  freeholders  by  the  persons  who  they  shall 
choose  to  represent  them,"  in  order  to  consult  with  him  and  his  coun- 
cil "  what  laws  are  fit  and  necessary  to  be  made  and  established  "  for 
the  good  government  of  the  province  "  and  all  the  inhabitants  there- 
of." On  the  nth  of  October,  1683,  the  assembly  thus  authorized  met 
at  Fort  James  in  New  York.  It  was  composed  of  delegates  from  all 
parts  of  the  province,  and  during  its  session  of  three  weeks,  passed 
fourteen  several  acts,  which  were  assented  to  by  the  governor  and 
his  council.  Among  these  laws  was  one  "  to  divide  this  Province 
and  dependencies  into  shires  and  counties,"  and  one  "to  settle 
Courts  of  Justice."  Twelve  counties  were  established  by  the  former: 
New  York,  Kings,  Queens,  Suffolk,  Richmond,  Westchester,  Albany, 
Ulster,  Duchess,  Orange,  Duke's,  and  Cornwall,  which,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Duchess,  which  was  placed  under  the  care  of  Ulster,  and 
Orange,  which  was  similarly  associated  with  New  York,  were  to  be 
entitled  to  representation  in  future  general  assemblies.  The  law  re- 
lating to  courts  established  four  distinct  tribunals:  Town  Courts,  for 
the  trial  of  small  causes,  to  be  held  each  month;  County  Courts,  or 
Courts  of  Sessions,  to  be  held  at  certain  times,  quarterly  or  half 
yearly;  a  General  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  with  original  and  ap- 
pellate jurisdiction,  to  sit  twice  in  every  year  in  each  county,  and  a 
Court  of  Chancery,  to  be  the  "  Supreme  Court  of  the  Province,"  com- 
posed of  the  governor  and  council,  witli  power  in  the  governor  to  de- 
pute a  chancellor  in  his  stead,  and  appoint  clerks  and  other  officers. 


CIVIL  GOVERNMENT.  33 


The  Court  of  Assizes  having  "ceased  and  determined,"  was  replaced 
by  the  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer.  This  system  continued  until 
1691,  when  courts  of  justices  of  the  pc^ace  were  organized  in  every 
town,  and  one  of  Common  Pleas  for  every  county- 
One  of  the  leading  features  in  the  early  civil  divisions  established 
by  the  English,  was  the  organization  of  precincts.  Cities  and  towns 
had  been  established  by  the  Dutch  prior  to  English  occupation;  a  few 
English  towns  existed  on  Long  Island,  as  already  stated,  and  a  few 
town  charters  were  subsequently  granted,  by  the  governor  and  coun- 
cil, to  companies  or  associated  colonists;  but  precincts  were  entirely 
different  in  their  constitution  and  government,  and  of  necessity  be- 
came more  numerous.  Primarily,  they  were  composed  of  the  scat- 
tered settlements  of  contiguous  territory  organized  by  the  courts  as 
court  districts,  and  attached  to  some  adjoining  town  for  assessment 
and  local  government.  Their  boundaries  were  crude;  their  popula- 
tion small ;  their  officers  such  as  were  known  only  to  the  county  at 
large.  Subsequently,  as  population  increased,  their  boundaries  were 
more  clearly  defined,  and  officers  assigned  to  them.  So  numerous  did 
these  divisions  ultimately  become  that  towns  were  almost  entirely 
lost  sight  of,  until  after  the  Revolution,  when  the  distinction,  which 
then  existed  only  in  name,  was  removed. 

In  1701,  the  Assembly,  by  act  of  October  18,  provided  that  the  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  of  the  several  counties,  "  or  any  five  or  more  of 
them,  two  whereof  to  be  a  quorum,"  should,  once  in  the  year,  at  a 
court  of  general  or  special  sessions,  supervise,  examine  and  allow 
the  public  and  necessary  charge  of  their  respective  county,  and  of 
every  town  thereof,"  including  the  "allowance  made  by  law  to  their 
representative  or  representatives."  For  the  assessment  and  collec- 
tion of  the  accounts  allowed  by  them,  they  were  "empowered  to 
issue  their  warrant  to  the  several  towns  for  the  election  of  two  as- 
sessors and  one  collector  in  each  town.  The  act  further  provided 
that  the  "justices  at  the  respective  general  sessions,"  should,  "once 
in  the  year,  make  provision  for  maintenance  and  siipport  f)f  the  poor" 
of  their  several  towns  or  precincts. 

This  law  continued  in  force  until  June  1703,  when  it  was  enacted, 
that  there  should  be  "  elected  and  ciiosen,  once  every  year,  in  each 
town,  by  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  thereof,  one  of  their  free- 
holders and  inhabitants,  to  compute,  ascertain,  examine,  oversee,  and 
allow  the  contingent,  public,  and  necessary  charge  of  each  county, 
and  that  eacli  and  every  inhabitant,  being  a  freeholder  in  any  manor, 
liberty,  jurisdiction,  precinct,  and  out-plantation,  shall  have  liberty  to 
join  his  or  their  vote  with  the  next  adjacent  town  in  the  county, 
where  such  inhabitants  shall  dwell,  for  the  choice  of  a  supervisor." 


34  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


The  law  also  provided  tliat  thei-e  should  be  annually  chosen  "  in  each 
town,  ward,  manor,  and  precinct,  by  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants 
thereof,  two  assessors  and  one  collector."  The  elections  were  to  be 
held  "  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April,"  or  on  such  other  days  as  were 
"  appointed  by  their  charters  and  patents."  The  supervisors  were 
required  to  meet  annually,  "  at  the  county  town  in  each  respective 
county,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  October;  and  at  such  other  time  and 
times  as  they  should  "judge  and  fkid  necessary  and  convenient,"  and 
then  and  there  "compute  the  public  necessary  contingent  charges 
against  their  respective  counties,"  together  with  "  such  other  sum 
and  sums  of  money"  as  should  be  "brought  and  exhibited  to  or  be- 
fore them,"  to  be  levied  on  their  respective  "  counties  by  the  laws  of 
the  colony."  When  the  computation  was  "perfected,  and  the  propor- 
tion of  each  town,  manor,  liberty,  jurisdiction,  and  precinct,  ascer- 
tained and  appointed,"  it  was  to  be  transmitted  to  the  assessors,  who 
were  "required,  equally,  duly,  and  impartially,  to  assess  and  make  a 
rate  for  their  respective  proportions,"  being  first  sworn  to  make  such 
assessment  equally  and  impartially.  The  assessment,  when  com- 
pleted, was  to  be  delivered  to  the  collectors,  who  were  empowered  to 
collect  and  pay  the  same  to  the  county  treasurer,"  who  was  to  be 
"  annually  chosen  in  each  county  by  the  supervisors." 

The  changes  which,  up  to  this  time,  had  been  made  in  the  civil  gov- 
ernment, it  will  be  observed,  consisted  in  substituting  courts  of  jus- 
tices of  the  peace,  for  the  courts  held  by  overseers  under  the  law  of 
1665.  Constables  were  continued  in  each  town,  and  in  addition  the 
towns  were  authorized  to  elect  supervisors,  assessors  and  collectors. 
Officers  equivalent  to  the  present  commissioners  of  highways  were 
given  to  the  towns  in  1691,  by  an  act  "  impowering  "  the  freehold- 
ers "to  nominate  and  make  choice  in  each  of  their  respective  towns, 
annually,  three  persons  to  be  surveyors  and  orderers  of  the  work  for 
laying  out  and  the  amendment  of  the  highways  and  fences  within  the 
bounds  and  limits  of  their  respective  towns."  This  law  also  gave 
power  to  the  freeholders  of  the  towns,  when  assembled  for  the  elect- 
ion of  the  officers  to  which  they  were  entitled,  "  to  make,  establish, 
constitute,  and  ordain,  such  prudential  orders  and  rules,  for  the  better 
improvement  of  their  lands  in  tillage,  pasturage,  or  any  other  reason- 
able way,"  as  the  majority  should  deem  "good  and  convenient." 

It  was  under  these  general  laws  that  the  district  of  country  now 
forming  part  of  Ulster  county,  and  the  whole  of  Orange  and  Rock- 
land counties,  had  its  organization  and  development.  The  act  of 
1683,  dividing  the  province  into  shires  and  counties,  provided:  "The 
County  of  Ulster  to  contain  the  towns  of  Kingston,  Hurley  and  Mar- 
bletown,  and  all  the  villages,  neighborhoods  and  Christian  habitations 


ORIGINAL  COUNTY   OF  ORANGE. 

From  Sauthier's  Mai),  1779. 


COUNTY  AND  FBECINCT  OROANIZATIONS.  35 


on  tlie  west  side  of  Hudson's  river,  from  the  Murderer's  creeke,  near 
the  Hig-hUmds,  to  Sawyer's  creeke.  The  County  of  Orange"^  to  be- 
ginne  from  the  limitts  or  bounds  of  East  and  West  Jersey,  on  the 
west  sid(>  (if  Hudson's  river:  along  the  said  river  to  Murderer's 
creeke,  or  hounds  of  the  county  of  Ulster;  and  westward  into  the 
woods  as  far  as  Dehiware  river."  These  boundaries,  though  crude 
and  ilhistrative  of  the  imperfect  knowledge  of  the  country  which  then 
prevailed,  were  destined  to  be  substantially  maintained  for  over  one 
hundred  years. 

The  organization  of  towns  and  precincts  in  the  county  of  Orange 
began  with  that  of  the  town  of  Orange  in  168G.f  Soon  after  its  or- 
ganization the  inhabitants  of  the  adjoining  patents,  including  Haver- 
straw,  were  attached  to  it,  for  court  jurisdiction  and  assessment. 
By  act  of  the  assembly,  June  24,  1719, — in  response  to  a  petition  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Haverstraw,  reciting  the  inconveniences  of  asso- 
ciation with  Orangotown, — the  northern  settlements  were  included  in 
a  precinct  under  the  title  of  the  Precinct  of  Haverstraw,  thereby  cre- 
ating two  precincts,  viz:  Orangetoivn  with  Tappan  as  its  center,  and 
Ilaverdraiv  with  the  "Christian  patented  lands  of  Haverstraw"  as  its 
center.  The  boundaries  of  the  latter  were  "from  the  northermost 
bounds  of  Tappan  to  the  northermost  bounds  of  Haverstraw."  Its 
inhal)itants  were  authorized  to  elect,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April 
annually,  the  officers  common  to  a  town,  viz:  "One  supervisor,  one 
collector,  two  assessors,  one  constable,  and  two  overseers  of  high- 
ways," who  should  be  "  invested  witli  all  the  powers,  and  be  obliged 
to  perform  sucli  services  and  duties"  as  pertained  to  similar  officers. 

The  settlements  of  Goshen,  Warwick,  Gray  Court,  etc.,  on  the  Wa- 
wayanda  patent,  were  given  (organization  as  the  Precinct  of  Goshen 
sometime  about  1114,  the  township  of  Goshen  becoming  the  political 
center.  |  Under  the  general  law  of  1703,  it  was  entitled  to  two 
assessors,  a  collector,  overseers  of  highways,  and  a  constable.  It 
remained  without  change  until  1743,  when  it  was  empowered  to  elect, 
in  addition  to  its  other  officers,  two  c(mstables,  one  of  whom  should 
be  "from  and  out  of  sucli  of  the  inhabitants"  as  had  their  residence 
in  the  south  i)art  of  the  precinct,  "commonly  called  Wawayanda," 
and  the  otlier  from  "the  inhabitants  to  tlic  northward,  near  the  meet- 
ing house  commonly  called  the  water-side  meeting  house."  The  terri- 
tory embraced  in  the  precinct  included  the  entire  county,  with   the 

*  "  So  called  in  compliment  to  the  Dutch  son-in-law  of  James  Second."— £?-od7!ead. 
Known  as  the  Prince  of  Orange — subsequently  William  Third  of  England. 

t  Ante  p.  2.S.  " 

t  Goshen  was  founded  as  a  township,  precisely  as  was  Orange  town,  and  was  similarly 
included  in  the  subsequent  precinct  organization  with  other  settlements.  It  should  be 
observed,  however,  that  in  these  and  similar  cases  of  prior  to^vnship  organizations  tho 
adjoining  settlements  were  the  "precincts  of  the  town  to  which  they  were  attached. 

03 


3G  OENEEAL  HISTORY  OF  OBAKGE  COUNTY. 


exception  of  the  Haverstraw  and  Oranf^etown  districts,  and  extend- 
ed from  tlie  Delaware  to  Hudson's  riv<M-.*  By  act  of  assembly,  Octo- 
ber 20,  1764,  it  was  divided  by  "  a  straig-iit  line  to  be  run,  beginning 
at  the  borders  or  verge  of  the  county  of  Ulster,  near  the  new  dwell- 
ing house  of  John  Manno,  thence  on  a  course  which  will  leave  the 
house  of  Barnabas  Horton,  Jr.,  ten  chains  to  the  westward,  to  the 
most  extreme  parts  of  said  precinct ;f  all  the  lands  lying  to  the  west 
of  said  line  to  be  Goshen  Precinct,  and  all  eastward  to  be  called  Neio 
Cornwall  Precinct.  These  two  precincts,  with  the  precincts  of  Hav- 
erstraw and  Orangetown,  constituted  the  political  divisions  of  the 
county  until  after  the  revolution.  Subsequently  and  prior  to  1797-98, 
the  following  changes  were  made:  The  title  of  precinct  was  changed 
to  that  of  town  in  the  cases  of  Orangetown,  Haverstraw,  Gt)shen,  and 
New  Cornwall,  in  1788,  |  at  which  time  the  towns  of  Warwick  and 
Minnisink  were  erected  i'roiii  Goshen;  from  Haverstraw  the  towns  of 
Clarkstown  and  Ramapo  were  erected  in  1791;  New  Cornwall  chang- 
ed its  title  to  Cornwall  in  179T.  These  changes  gave  to  the  county, 
in  1798,  the  towns  of  Orangetown,  Haverstraw,  Clarkstown,  Ramapo, 
Goshen,  Warwick,  Minnisink,  and  Cornwall. 

From  this  survey  of  the  c;ounty  of  Orange  we  pass  to  notice  the 
civil  divisions  of  Ulster  county  so  far  as  they  were  embraced  in  the 
district  which  we  are  considei'ing.  Immediately  north  of  Murderer's 
creek  there  was  no  civil  organization  until  the  advent  of  the  Palatines 
in  1709, §  wlien  \he  Precincl  of  the  Highlands  wds  erected  and  attached 
to  New  Paltz  At  the  same  time  or  soon  after,  and  evidently  by  order 
of  the  court,  the  Precinct  of  Maghaghkemek  \\  and  the  Precinct  of  Sha- 


*  That  portion  of  the  precinct  lying  west  of  the  Minnisink  mountains  was  subjected  to 
several  political  changes  :  By  act  of  October  18,  1701,  "  for  the  more  regular  proceedings 
in  Election  of  Representatives,'"  the  inhabitants  of  "  Wagachcmeck  and  Great  and  Little 
Minnisink"  were  "  impowered  to  give  their  votes  in  the  cotinty  of  Ulster."  By  act  of 
November  12,  1709,  "  to  determine,  settle,  and  ascertain  the  bounds  and  limits  of  the 
county  of  Orange,"  the  act  of  October  15,  1701,  was  repealed  so  far  as  it  related  to  the 
settlements  named,  which  were  in  effect  declared  to  be  a  part  of  Orange  county.  By 
subsequent  survey  Maghaghkemek  (Curtdebackville)  was  found  to  be  north  of  the  line 
of  Orange,  and  hence  passed  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Ulster,  appearing  on  the  tax-roll  as 
the  "Neighborhood  of  Maghaghkemek."  It  remained  in  this  ])olitical  relation  until  1798, 
Avhen  the  town  of  Deerpark  was  erected  as  one  of  the  consequences  of  the  reorganization 
of  Orange  county,  of  which  it  became  part.  The  other  settlements  were  included  (after 
1709)  in  the  precinct  of  Goshen  ;  subsequently  in  the  town  of  Minnisink  (1788),  from 
which  they  were  taken  (1798)  and  included  in  the  boundaries  of  Deerpark. 

t  This  line  is  said  to  have  been  parallel  with  the  west  line  of  the  present  town  of  Monroe. 

f  The  erection  of  towns  at  this  date,  wherever  situated  in  the  state,  was  under  a  gen- 
eral law  passed  March  7th,  1788,  entitled,  "  An  act  for  dividing  the  coimties  of  this  state 
into  towns." 

§  So  much  of  the  district  as  was  embraced  in  the  Evans  patent,  was,  by  the  terms  of 
that  instrument,  erected  into  the  "  Manor  and  Lordshii)  of  Fletcherdon,"  \vith  the  usual 
authority  conferred  in  manorial  grants,  but,  in  the  absence  of  other  population  than  that 
included  in  the  MacGregorie  settlement,  it  is  not  prol)ablo  that  even  the  civil  jurisdiction 
of  a  manorial  court  was  established  during  the  few  years  the  grant  was  continued. 

II  Tlie  correctness  of  this  statement  having  been  questioned,  we  qiiote  from  the  act  of 
December  17th,  1743:  "And  whereas  Shava/igunk,  Highlands  and  Maghaghkemek  have 
formerly  been  deemed  and  esteemed  three  precincts,  and  have  been  assessed  by  their  own 
assessors,"  &c.    It  was  subsequently  included  in  the  Precinct  of  Mamakating. 


COUNTY  AND  PRECINCT  ORANIZATIONS.  g? 


wangvnk  were  coiistiTuted,  the  latter  attached  to  New  Paltz.  Under 
this  limited  org-anizatioii  the  territory  which  these  precincts  covered 
remained  until  1743,  when,  by  act  of  December  17tli,  three  full  pre- 
cincts, having  all  the  officers  of  towns  and  exercising-  all  their  duties, 
were  established.  These  precincts  wei'e  to  be  known  and  called  "by 
the  name  of  the  WallJcill  Precinct,  Shawangunk  Precinct,  and  High- 
land PrecincfJ^  Tlie  tirst,  the  Precinct  of  Wa/lkiU,  was  bounded  on 
the  north  "  by  the  north  bounds  of  ten  thousand  acres  of  land  grant- 
ed to  Jeremiah  Schuyler  and  others,  by  the  south  bounds  of  four 
thousand  acres  of  land  g-ranted  to  Gerardus  Beekman  and  others,  by 
the  north  bounds  of  three  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  to  Henry 
Wileman  and  others,  by  the  east  bounds  of  three  thousand  acres  of 
land  g-ranted  to  John  Johnson,  and  l)y  the  east  bounds  of  two  thou- 
sand acres  of  land  g-ranted  to  Cadwallader  Golden;"  on  the  south 
"  by  tlie  north  b(juiids  ()f  two  thousand  acres  of  land  g-ranted  to 
Patrick  Hume,  by  the  north  and  west  bounds  of  the  land  granted 
to  CorneHus  Low  and  others,  and  by  the  north-west  and  south-west 
bounds  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  to  Phineas  Mcintosh, 
and  by  the  line  dividiug  the  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster  to  Sha- 
wangunk  mountains."  In  more  general  terms  the  district  was  de- 
Hned  as  "bounded  westerly  by  the  Shawangunk  mountains  as  they 
run  from  the  county  of  Orange  to  a  creek  or  river  called  the  Platte- 
kill,  then  along  the  Plattekill  to  Sliawangunk  river,  then  all  along 
Shawangunk  river  to  the  north  bounds  of  the  ten  thousand  acres 
granted  to  Jeremiah  Schuyler  aforesaid."  The  freeholders  were  re- 
quired to  "meet  at  the  house  of  Matties  Millspaugh,  on  the  first  Tues- 
day of  April  yearly,"  or  at  such  other  place  as  should  be  selected  by 
the  inhabitants  after  the  first  meetiiig,  and  elect  one  supervisor,  two 
assessors,  a  collector,  a  constable  and  an  overseer  oi"  the  poor.  One 
(^f  the  assessors  was  to  be  located  on  the  west  side  of  the  Wallkill, 
"  and  because  the  said  Wallkill  river,  which  crosses  the  said  precinct, 
is  sometimes  dangerous  to  pass,"  one  collector  and  one  constable  were 
added  to  the  officers  of  the  precinct  "  for  that  part  thereof  which 
Heth  to  the  westwartl  of  said  river." 

The  second,  the  Precinct  of  Shawangunk;  was  bounded  on  the  west 
"  by  the  foot  of  Shawangunk  mountains;  on  the  south  and  west  by 
the  precinct  of  Wallkill;  on  the  east  by  the  line  or  bounds  of  three 
thousand  five  hundred  acres  granted  to  Rip  Van  Dam  and  others,  by 
the  east  bounds  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  to  Barbaric, 
and  by  the  east  bounds  or  line  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land  granted 
to  Huddleston ;  and  on  the  north  by  the  north  bounds  or  line  of  the 
said  two  thousand  acres  granted  to  Huddleston,  by  the  north  bounds 
of  two  thousand  acres  granted  to  Peter  Matthews  and  others;"  on 


38  GENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

the  south,  by  a  line  "crossing  the  said  Wallkill  river  to  the  moutli  of 
Shawangunk  river,  and  running-  thence  south-westerly  all  along  the 
north-west  side  of  said  Shawangunk  river  to  the  south-west  corner  of 
the  land  granted  to  Colonel  Jacob  Rutzen;"  aud  on  the  west  by  the 
"  westerly  bounds  or  line  of  said  land  granted  to  Rutzen  to  a  salt 
pond,  called  'the  great  salt  pond,'  and  from  thence  upon  a  west 
line  to  the  foot  of  Shawangunk  mountains  aforesaid."  The  first  pre- 
cinct meeting  was  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Smedes,  Jr., 
at  which  a  supervisor,  two  assessors,  and  the  usual  precinct  officers 
were  to  be  chosen,  and  the  place  of  subsequent  meetings  designated. 
The  Precinct  of  the  Highlands  embraced  tlie  patents  lying  along 
the  Hudson  from  Murderer's  creek  to  New  Paltz,  and  was  more  par- 
ticularly described  as  "bounded  on  the  east  by  Hudson's  river;  on 
the  south  by  the  line  dividing  the  counties  of  Ulster  and  Orange;  on 
the  west  by  the  precincts  of  Wallkill  and  Shawangunk  and  the 
neighborhoods  annexed  to  the  New  Paltz,*  and  on  the  north  by  the 
bounds  or  line  of  New  Paltz  town."  The  precinct  meetings  were  to 
be  held  "  at  tlie  house  of  John  Humphrey,  Jr.,  on  the  first  Tuesday  of 
April,  anniially,"  for  the  election  of  precinct  ofiicers. 

The  same  act  gave  primary  constitution  to  the  Precinct  of  Mama- 
kating,  in  which  was  included  "all  the  land  to  the  southward  of  the 
town  of  Rochester  as  far  as  the  county  of  Ulster  extends,  and  to  the 
westward  of  the  precincts  of  Wallkill  and  Shawangunk  as  far  as  the 
county  extends."  The  first  precinct  meeting  was  to  be  held  at  the 
dwelling  house  of  Samuel  Swartwout,  at  which  one  constable,  two 
assessors,  two  overseers  of  the  poor  and  two  surveyors  of  highways 
were  to  be  elected.  In  the  election  of  supervisor  tlie  freeholders 
were  associated  with  the  town  of  Rochester.  Under  the  law  of 
1798,  the  northern  part  of  the  territory  included  in  the  then  town  of 
Deerpark  was  taken  from  this  precinct. 

The  precinct  of  the  Highlands  continued  in  existence  until  1762, 
when  it  was  divided  into  the  precincts  of  Newburgh  and  New  Wind- 
sor, "  by  a  line  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Quassaick  creek,  and  run- 
ning thence  along  the  south  bounds  of  a  tract*  of  land  commonly 
called  the  German  patent,  to  another  tract  granted  to  Alexander 
Baird,  and  then  along  the  southerly  bounds  of  the  said  last  mention- 
ed tract  to  the  Wallkill  precinct;  all  the  lands  heretofcn-e  compre- 
hended within  the  said  Highland  precinct  lying  to  the  southward  of 


*  The  "neighborhoods  annexed  to  New  Paltz,"  were  "Guill'ord,  and  several  other 
patents,  from  the  south  bounds  of  New  Paltz  to  the  north  bounds  of  Shawangunk  pre- 
cinct, and  from  the  foot  of  the  high  mountains  eastward  to  the  east  line  of  the  patent 
granted  to  Thomas  Garland,  and  by  the  south  and  east  by  the  land  granted  to  Hugh 
Freer  and  others,  and  to  the  eastward  by  an  east  line  from  the  said  Hugh  Freer's 
bounds  to  the  bounds  or  line  of  New  Paltz."  The  freeholders  were  to  vote  with  the 
freeholders  of  New  Paltz  and  in  all  respects  to  be  considered  a  part  of  that  town. 


f 


COUNTY  AND  PRECINCT  ORGANIZATIONS.  39 


tlie  aforesaid  dividing  line  to  be  called  by  the  name  of  New  Wmdsor 
Precinct,  and  all  the  lands  heretofore  comprehended  within  the  said 
Highland  precinct  lying  to  the  northward  of  the  said  line  to  be  called 
by  the  name  of  Newbiirgh  Precinct."  The  latter  was  divided,  in  1712, 
by  a  line  running  along  the  north  bounds  of  the  Harrison,  Bradley, 
Wallace,  Kip  and  Cruger,  and  Jamison  patents,  to  the  precinct  of 
Shawangunk,  "  all  the  land  lying  to  the  northward  of  said  line,  to 
be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  New  Marlborough  Precinct,  and 
all  the  land  south  of  said  line  to  continue  to  be  called  Newburgh 
Precinct." 

The  same  law  divided  the  precinct  of  VVallkill  by  a  line  beginning 
at  the  s(.)uth-west  corner  of  the  Mcintosh  patent  and  the  south-east 
corner  of  McKnight's,  "thence  along  the  south-west  bounds  of  Thom- 
as Noxon,  the  south-west  bounds  of  Harrison  and  Company,  the  south- 
west l)ounds  f)f  Philip  Schuyler,  to  the  Pakadasink  river  or  Shawan- 
gunk kill;"  all  north-east  of  this  line  "to  be  called  tlie  Precinct  of 
Hanover  and  all  the  land  south-west  of  said  line,  heretofore  compre- 
hended in  the  precinct  of  Wallkill,  to  continue  to  be  called  the  Pre- 
cinct of  Wallkill." 

The  precincts  named  carried  with  them  their  designative  titles  in 
their  organization  as  towns  under  the  act  of  1788,  with  the  exception 
of  Hanover,  whose  inhabitants,  for  the  purpose  of  attesting  their  de- 
testation of  the  English  government  as  well  as  their  appreciation  of 
the  heroic  services  of  General  Richard  Montgomery,  obtained  consent, 
from  the  provincial  convention  of  the  state,  in  1782,  to  change  the 
precinct  name  to  Montgomery.  By  the  act  of  1788,  they  were  seve- 
rally erected  as  the  towns  of  Newburgh,  New  Windsor,  New  Marlbo- 
rough, Shawangunk,  Montgomery,  and  Wallkill.  The  changes  which 
had  been  made  from  time  to  time  in  their  organization  were  the  out- 
gr(jwth  of  increasing  population  and  the  necessary  convenience  of 
local  administration.  But  their  sub-division,  especially  after  the  war 
of  the  revolution,  did  not  entirely  meet  the  emergencies  which  the 
rapid  increase  of  population  demanded.  The  people  of  Newburgh 
and  the  neighboring  southern  towns  of  Ulster  county,  were  requir- 
ed to  transact  their  county  business  at  Kingston,  while  those  of 
Cornwall  and  the  north-eastern  part  of  Orange  were  compelled  to  at- 
tend courts  and  enter  their  records  at  Orangetown.  In  either  case 
the  county  seat  was  tlMrty  miles  or  more  distant,  and  in  precisely  op- 
posite directions,  Avhile  the  facilities  for  communication,  for  a  large 
pi)rtion  of  the  time,  were  most  exceptionable.  The  inhabitants  of 
the  western  part  of  Orange  were  better  accommodated,  Goshen  having 
been  made,  at  .an  early  period,  a  half-shire  district;  still  their  records 
were  kept  at  Orangetown,  and  a  considerable  portion  of  their  court 


40  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

business  was  necessarily  transacted  there.  To  inaugurate  the 
correction  of  these  inconveniences  a  convention  of  delegates  from 
the  several  towns  interested  was  held  at  Ward's  Bridge  *  on  the  6th 
of  April,  1793,  but  without  other  result  than  the  agitation  of  the 
question,  and  the  hall-expressed  willingness  of  the  delegates  from 
Goshen  to  a  union  of  the  northern  towns  of  Orange  and  the  southern 
towns  of  Ulster  in  a  new  county  organization,  with  courts  alternately 
at  Newburgh  and  Goshen.  A  second  convention  was  held  at  the 
house  of  John  Decker,  at  Otterkill,  in  February,  1794,  with  no  better 
result,  the  delegates  from  Newburgh  being  instructed  to  decline 
"  any  union  at  all "  unless  it  should  be  agreed  that  a  court  house  be 
erected  and  courts  held  at  Newburgh  and  Goshen  alternately,f  a 
proposition  which  the  Goshen  delegates  were  not  fully  disposed  to 
concede. 

Here  the  matter  i-ested  until  1797,  when  a  third  convention  assem- 
bled, similarly  composed,  at  Kerr's  hotel  in  Little  Britain.  At  this 
convention,  General  Wilkin  and  General  Hopkins,  from  Orange,  and 
Daniel  Niven  and  Isaac  Belknap,  8r.,  from  Ulster,  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  report  terms  upon  which  a  union  should  be  formed,  agreed 
to  a  stipulation  that  the  courts  should  be  held  at  Newburgh  and 
Goshen  alternately,  and  the  convention  ratified  it.  The  subject 
came  before  the  legislature  in  the  winter  of  1797-98.  Two  bills 
were  presented — one  entitled  "An  Act  for  Dividing  the  County  of 
Orange,"  the  other,  "  An  Act  for  Altering  the  bounds  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Orange  and  Ulster."  The  first  was  passed  on  the  23d  of 
February,  and  enacted:  "That  all  that  tract  of  land  in  the  county  of 
Orange,  lying  north-west  of  a  line  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Poplo- 
pen's  kill,  on  Hudson's  river,  and  running  from  thence  to  the  south- 
eastermost  corner  of  the  farm  of  Stephen  Sloat,  and  then  along  the 
south  bounds  of  his  farm  to  the  south-west  corner  thereof,  and  then 
on  the  same  course  to  the  bounds  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey, J  shall 
be  and  hereby  is  erected  into  a  separate  county,  and  shall  be  called 
and  known  by  the  name  of  Orange;"  and,  "That  all  that  part  of  the 
said  county  of  Orange  lying  southward  of  the  above  described  line 
shall  be  erected  into  a  separate  county,'  and  shall  be  called  and  known 
by  the  name  of  Rockland."  The  act  also  made  provision  for  holding 
courts,  fixed  the  number  of  members  of  assembly,  etc.  The  second 
act  was  passed  on  the  5th  of  April  following.  ,  It  enacted,  "  That  the 


*  Now  the  village  of  Moutgomery. 

t  Newburgh  Town  Records,  Feb.'l,  1794. 

X  Act  of  April  3cl,  1801,  gives  this  Une  as  from  the  middle  of  Hudson's  river  "west  to 
the  mouth  of  Poplopens  Idil,  and  from  thence  on  a  direct  course  to  the  east  end  of  the 
mill  dam  now  or  late  of  Michael  Weiman  across  the  Bamapough  river,  and  from  thence  a 
direct  course  to  the  twenty-mile  stone  standing  in  the  said  division  line  between  this 
state  and  the  state  of  New"  Jersey." 


COUNTY  AND  PRECINCT  ORGANIZATIONS.  41 


towns  of  New  Windsor,  Newbuvgh,  Wallkill,  Montgomery  and  Deei'- 
park,  now  in  the  c<iunty  of  Twister,  sliall  be  and  hereby  are  annexed 
to  the  county  of  Orange,"  and  made  provision  for  holding  courts  al- 
ternately at  Newburgh  and  (losheji,  the  latter  being  the  county  seat. 
With  these  enactincMits  the  records  of  the  original  county  were 
closed,  and  from  the  heart  of  tlie  patents  and  precincts  covering  the 
district  described  "  in  the  beginning,"  was  erected  the  present  county, 
bearing,  under  the  title  of  Orange,  the  colonial  and  revolutionary 
history  of  the  territory  wiiich  it  embraced,  the  most  populous  *  and 
fertile  of  the  lands  oi'  the  original  district,  and  more  than  two-thirds 
of  its  wealth, — elements  which  gave  to  it  inunediate  prominen(;e  in 
state  and  national  p(;litics,  and  which,  under  subsequent  and  pro- 
gressive developement,  have  maintained  its  rank  among  the  first 
counties  of  the  state.  Tiie  b(nindary  lines  of  the  new  county  were 
definitely  tixed  by  the  general  law  of  April  8d,  1801,  entitled  : 
"An  x\ct  to  divide  this  State  into  Counties,"  as  follows:  "The 
county  of  Orange  to  contain  all  that  part  of  this  state  bounded 
easterly  by  the  middle  of  Hudson's  river,  southerly  by  the  said 
county  of  Rockland  and  the  division  line  between  this  state  and 
the  state  of  New  Jersey,  westerly  by  the  river  Mongaapf  and 
the  division  line  between  this  state  and  the  commonwealth  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  northerly  by  a  line  drawn  frtmi  a  point  in  the 
niiddle  of  said  Hudson's  river  opposite  the  north-east  corner  of  a 
tract  of  land  granted  to  Francis  Harrison  and  Company,  called  the 
five  thousand  acre  tract,  to  the  said  north-east  corner,  and  running 
from  thence  westerly  along  the  north  bounds  of  the  said  tract  and 
the  north  bounds  of  another  tract  granted  to  the  said  Francis  Har- 


*  The  population  of  the  original  county  of  Orange,  and  that  part  of  Ulster  included  in 
the  district,  was  (1790)  as  follows: 

ORANGE  COUNTY  :  ULSTEB  COUNTY  : 

Cornwall, 4,225        Mamakating, 1,763 

Goshen, 2,448        Montgomery, 3,563 

Haverstraw, 4,826        Newburgh, 2,365 

Minnisiuk, 2,215        New  Windsor, 1,819 

Orangetown, 1,175        New  Marlborough, 2,241 

Warwick, 3,603        Shawangunk, 2,128 

Wallkill, 2,571 


Total, 18,492           16,450 

The  following  were  the  towns  included  in  the  new  county,  under  the  same  census : 

TOWNS   FROM  ORANGE  :  TOWNS  FROM   ULSTER  : 

Cornwall, 4,225        Montgomery, 3,563 

Goshen 2,448        Newburgh, 2,365 

Minnisink, 2,215        New  Windsor, 1,819 

Warwick, 3,603        Wallkill, 2,571 


Total, 12,491  10,318 

The  census  of  1800,  immediately  following  the  erection  uf  the  now  county,  gave  its  pop- 
ulation as  29,368,  and  that  of  the  towns  not  included  as  14,807— showing  the  population 
of  the  district  at  that  tune  to  b§  44,175. 

t  Originally  known  as  tlie  Mingwing.  Mongaap  is  presumed  to  be  Dutch.  It  is  en- 
tered on  Hauthier's  map,  "  Mangawping."  Whilo  the  old  county  line  ran  to  the  Delaware 
river,  the  new  line  stopped  at  the  Mongaap;  it  was  also  further  north  than  the  old  line, 


42  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


rison  to  the  tract  of  land  commonly  called  Wallace's  tract,  then  along 
the  lines  of  the  same  northerly  and  westerly  to  the  north-easterly 
bounds  of  a  tract  of  land  granted  to  Jacobus  Kip,  John  Cruger  and 
others,  commonly  called  Kip  and  Cruger's  tract,  then  westerly  along 
the  north-easterly  and  northerly  bounds  thereof,  and  then  westerly  to 
the  north-east  corner  of  a  tract  of  three  thousand  acres  granted  to 
Rip  Van  Dam  and  others,  thence  southerly  along  the  same  to  the 
north-east  corner  of  a  tract  of  three  thousand  acres  granted  to  Henry 
Wileman,  and  running  thence  along  the  north  bounds  thereof  to  the 
Paltz  river,  commonly  called  the  Wallkill,  then  southerly  up  the  said 
river  to  the  south-east  corner  of  a  tract  of  four  thousand  acres  of 
land  granted  to  Gerardus  Beekman  and  others,  then  westerly  and 
northerly  along  the  southerly  and  westerly  bounds  thereof  to  the 
north-east  corner  tliBreof,  and  then  north-westerly  along  the  north 
bounds  of  the  land  granted  to  Jeremiah  Schuyler  and  Company  to 
the  Shawangunk  kill,  thence  southerly  along  said  kill  to  the  north 
part  of  the  farm  now  or  late  in  the  occupation  of  Joseph  Wood,  Jr., 
thence  west  to  the  river  Mongaap."  By  act  of  the  7th  of  April  of 
the  same  year  definite  boundary  lines  were  given  to  the  towns  com- 
posing the  newly  constructed  county,  namely:  Blooming-Grove, 
Chesekook,  Cornwall,  Deerpark,  Goshen,  Minnisink,  Montgomery, 
New  Windsor,  Newburgh,  Wallkill,  and  Warwick.* 

Incident  to  the  history  of  the  original  county,  it  is  proper  to  re- 
mark, in  this  connection,  that  although  organized  in  1G83,  it  was 
only  a  county  in  name — a  district  in  the  wilderness  with  boundaries 
upon  paper.  It  was  not  until  nearly  twenty  years  later  that  it 
became  a  county  de  facto.  True,  it  was  assigned  a  sherift'  and  a 
clerk,  and  had  a  jail,  but  it  was  attached  to  New  York  in  other  re- 
spects in  the  character  of  a  borough.  Governor  Leisler,  in  his  ill- 
starred  rebellion,  attempted  to  use  it  (1691)  by  appointing,  as  one  of 
his  council,  William  Lawrence  of  New  York,  as  representing  Orange, 
and  when  it  was  given  representation  in  the  assembly  (1699),  it  was 
not  as  a  right  due  to  population,  but  to  serve  another  purpose.  Prac- 
tically, the  organization  of  the  county  began  in  1703,  when  the  first 
session  of  the  court,  and  the  first  meetino-  of  iustices  actina-  as  a 
board  of  supervisors,  was  held.f    Such  local  administration  as  it  had. 


*  From  the  territory  embraced  in  the  towns  named,  the  following  additional  towns 
were  erected:  Chester,  1845,  from  Goshen,  Warwick,  Blooming-Grove,  and  Monroe; 
Grawtord,  1823,  from  Montgomery;  Greenville,  1853,  fi-om  Minnisink;  Hamptouburgh, 
1830,  trom  Goshen,  Blooming-Grove,  Montgomery,  New  Windsor,  and  Wallkill;  Mount 
Hope  1833,  trom  Wallkill,  Minnisink  and  Deerpark;  Wawavanda,  1849.  from  Minnisink; 
Highlands,  irom  Cornwall,  1872;  the  city  of  Newbnrgh,  1866,  from  Newbm-gh.  The 
county  now  embraces  eighteen  towns,  one  city,  and  six  incorporated  villages. 

t  The  record  book  contains  this  entry:  "Begister  kept  for  Orange  county,  begun  ye  5th 
day  ot  April,  Anno  Domini  1703."  The  earUer  records  were  probably  kept  in  New  York  to 
which  the  county  was  attached. 


COURTS  AND  COURT  HOUSES.  43 


aside  fi'om  the  officers  of  its  precincts,  may  be  brie%  stated.  Miniiie 
Johannes  was  its  first  sherifl",  1685;  Floris  Willenise  Croni,  in  1690; 
Stanley  Handcock,  in  1694;  John  Patersen,  in  1699,  and  Theunis 
Toleman  in  1701.  The  h\tter  was  not  held  in  very  high  esteem  by 
Governor  Cornbury,  who  apparently  regarded  the  ability  of  a  man 
to  write  his  own  name  as  a  qualification.  Dirck  Storm  was  the 
county  clerk,  or  clerk  of  the  court,  in  1691,  and  William  Huddleston 
in  1703.  Judges  of  connnon  pleas  came  in  in  1701,  William  Merritt 
being  the  first  judge.  The  first  session  of  the  court  was  held  at 
Orangetown,  April  28,  1703, — present:  William  Merritt  and  John 
Merritt,  judges.  The  first  recorded  session  of  justices  of  the  peace, 
acting  as  a  board  of  supervisors,  was  held  April  27,  1703, — present: 
William  Merritt,  John  Merritt,  Cornelius  Cuyper,  Tunis  Van  Houton, 
Thtjuias  Burroughs,  Michael  Hawdon,  justices;  John  Ferr}',  sherifl'; 
William  Huddleston,  clerk,  and  Conradt  Hanson,  constable.  From 
this  time  the  record  is  continuous. 

Many  franchises  were  dependent  upon  population.  Of  this  char- 
acter were  surrogate's  courts.  The  first  law  of  the  province  relating 
to  estates  gave  to  courts  of  common  pleas  power  to  take  proof  of  wills 
and  grant  letters  of  administration  in  remote  counties.  Other  coun- 
ties, including  Orange  and  Ulster,  were  required  to  transact  such 
business  in  New  York.  This  was  changed  by  act  of  November,  24, 
1750,  which  relates  that  whereas,  at  the  time  of  the  enactment  of  the 
law  providing  that  in  remote  counties  courts  of  common  pleas  should 
be  authorized  to  take  the  examination  of  witnesses  to  any  will,  on 
oath,  and  to  grant  letters  of  administration,  the  "  county  of  Orange 
was  not  considered  and  esteemed  one  of  the  remote  counties,"  but 
that  since  the  passage  of  the  said  act,  "  the  north-west  parts  of  the 
said  county,  being  nearly  one  lumdred  miles  distance  from  the  city 
of  New  York,"  had  "increased  greatly  in  number  of  inhabitants,  as 
well  by  families  removed  to  those  parts,  as  otherwise,"  who  were 
laboring  under  "  the  like  inconveniences  as  those  of  said  remote 
counties,"  that  therefore  the  judges  and  justices  of  the  said  court  of 
common  pleas,  and  the  clerk  of  the  said  county,  be  vested  with  au- 
thority to  take  such  examinations  and  issue  such  letters  of  adminis- 
tration. This  arrangement  was  continued  until  1754,  when  William 
Finn  was  appointed  surrogate  and  a  surrogate's  court  established. 

The  courts  iield  their  sessions  at  Orangetown  exclusively  until 
1727,  when  Goshen  was  given  alternate  terms.  The  first  county 
buildings  were  erected  at  Orangetown,  sometime  about  1703.  At 
the  first  court  of  sessions  held  l)y  justices  of  the  peace,  April  5th, 
1708,  an  examination  of  the  "common  gaol  of  the  county"  was  or- 
dered and  directions  given  to  complete  the  same.     By  act  of  the  as- 


44  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

scnibly,  Deceinbor  KUh,  1737,  "the  Justices  of  tho  peace  of  that  part 
of  Oraiin-e  county  lying  to  the  northward  of  the  Highlands,"  were 
"  authorized  to  build  a  court  house  and  gaol  for  the  said  county  at 
Goshen."  This  buihling  was  coinph>tcd  under  act  of  November  3d, 
1740,  by  wliich  one  hundred  pounds  w-ere  authorized  to  be  raised  for 
the  purpose  on  the  portion  of  the  county  already  named.  It  was  a 
structure  of  wood  and  stone;  was  repaired  in  1754,  and  was  torn 
down  in  1775  or  1776,  a  new  stone  court  house  having  been  erected. 
The  hitter  was  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  tlie  office  of  tlie  county 
clerk  in  Goshen.  Its  erection  was  provided  for  under  an  act  of  the 
assembly,  March  12th,  1713,  by  which  one  thousand  pounds  were 
raised  for  th(^  purpose  on  the  precincts  of  Goshen  and  Cornwall. 
Four  liundred  pounds  additional  were  raised  in  1774  to  finish  it,  and 
prisoners  were  removed  to  it  under  act  of  April  1st,  1775.  It  was 
originally  two  stories  high.  A  third  story,  it  is  said,  was  added  to  it 
in  1801-2,  the  first  story  being  occupied  by  debtors'  cells,  the  second 
by  the  court  room,  and  the  third  by  cells  for  criminals.  It  was  re- 
moved in  1842,  wlien  the  present  court  house  was  erected.  Mean- 
while the  old  court  house  at  Orangetown  was  replaced  by  a  new 
structure  in  1704,  the  expense  being  borne  by  the  "southern  part  of 
the  county."     It  was  subsequently  destroyed  by  fire. 

Aside  from  their  town  and  precinct  officers  and  representatives  in 
the  asserid)ly,  the  people  had  no  voice  in  the  selection  of  their  rulers. 
The  sherift's  held  the  elections  for  representatives  and  the  choice 
was  determined  by  the  viva  voce*  vote  of  the  freeholders,  who  were 
required  to  be  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  to  be  possessed  of 
"  land  or  tenements  improved  to  the  value  of  forty  pounds  free  from 
all  incumbrances."  Freeholders  having  property  in  more  than  one 
county,  could  vote  in  as  juany  counties  as  they  had  property  liable  to 
taxation,  and  for  their  accommodation  the  elections  were  so  ordered 
that  opportunity  was  given  them  to  cast  the  full  number  of  votes  to 
which  they  were  entitled.  It  could  scarcely  be  called  a  representa- 
tiv(>  system,  so  far  as  representative  systems  are  understood  to  ex- 
press the  popular  will;  it  was  more  properly  a  property  representa- 
tion under  which  power  was  given  to  a  few  persons.  The  districts 
were  large;  the  population  was  scattered;  the  electiims  were  held  at 
the  "cniinty  towns;"  the  polls  were  kept  open  several  days  to  enable 
all  to  vote  who  might  wish  to  do  so.  Where  the  conveniences  existed 
for  transit  tVoiii  point  to  point,  as  they  did  along  the  Hudson,  a  free- 
holder residing  in  New  York  was  enabled  to  vote  in  half  a  dozen 
counties  if  holding  property  therein,  while  those  occupying  more  in- 

*  Until  iit'tor  the  aduptinn  of  the  Constitution  of  1777.     Voting  by  ballut  ■was  regarded 
by  the  framers  of  tliat  instrument  as  an  experiment. 


COLONIAL  POLITICS.  45 


land  locations  were  in  most  cases  necessarily  deprived  of  a  voice  in 
elections. 

Until  1699,  the  lieoliolders  of  the  county  were  associatcid  with 
those  of  New  York  in  tlie  selection  of  representatives,  but  were  not 
obliged  to  visit  New  York  in  order  to  give  their  votes.  Tiie  sherift" 
of  tlie  county  held  the  election  at  Orangetown,  and  made  return  to 
the  sheritf  of  New  York,  who  declared  the  result.  In  1699  the  county 
was  given  representation  in  the  assembly.  At  this  and  subsequent 
elections  until  1749,  the  poll  was  held  exclusively  at  Orangetown, 
and  those  who  wished  Vo  vote  were  compelled  to  visit  that  place. 
This  was  in  part  remedied  by  the  law  of  1748,  by  wdnch  it  was 
provided  that,  "  for  the  time  to  come,  all  elections  for  representa- 
tives" should  be  opened,  "either  at  the  court  house  or  some  conveni- 
ent place  in  Orangetown;  or  at  the  court  house  or  some  convenient 
place  in  Croshen,"  and  after  being  held  for  a  certain  time  at  the  place 
where  first  opened,  should  be  adjourned  "to  the  other  court  house  or 
place  of  election,  so  that  all  tlie  freeholders  may,  if  they  please,  be 
polled  at  such  elections."  * 

That  the  system  was  corrupt,  especially  in  the  earlier  years  of  its 
administration,  is  a  fact  revealed  on  every  page  of  the  history  of 
that  period.  Frauds  upon  the  revenue  pervaded  all  departments  of 
the  public  service;  piratical  expeditions,  including  that  of  the  notori- 
ous Captain  Kidd,  were  fitted  out  by  men  high  in  public  aftairs;  land 
grants  were  obtained  for  considerations  paid  to  the  governor;  there 
was  nothing,  apparently,  that  had  money  in  it  that  was  not  prosper- 
ed by  official  connivance.  In  one  instance  only  is  it  written  that  the 
governor's  council  "was  ashamed  to  consent"  to  one  of  his  grants, 
and  that  not  because  of  its  magnitude,  but  that  it  proposed  to  give 
his  footman  a  lease  for  "a  little  island  called  Nutten  Island,"  which 
had  hitherto  been  "convenient  for  grazing  a  few  coach  horses  and 
cows  for  the  governor's  family."  f  Sectarianism  was  the  cloak  for  all 
kinds  of  peculation;  to  write  against  another  at  one  time  that  he 
was  a  protestant,  or  at  another  that  he  was  "  a  popish  tailor,"  or  simi- 
lar epithet,  was  the  stepping  stone  to  official  promotion.  Indeed  it 
would  seem  that  more  modern  political  partisans  have  not  learned 
much  that  is  new,  or  that  many  who  have  since  held  official  station 
have  special  claim  to  originality  in  methods  of  abusing  public  trusts. 

It  was  when  this  era  of  corruption  was  at  his  height  that  the  peo- 
ple of  Orange  county  appear  distinctly  in  the  politics  of  the  prov- 
ince.    Governor    Bellomont,    who    succeeded    Governor     Fletcher    in 


*  The  old  story  of  carrying  the  ballot-box  around  the  country  originated  in  this.  Un- 
fortunately for  the  storv  there  was  uo  ballot-box,  the  vote  of  the  frecholderH  being  simplv 
registered.  '  t  Col.  Hist.,  iv.,  384, 393. 


46  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

1698,  was  clothed  with  power  to  correct  the  abuses  which  had  grown 
up,  for  which  purpose  he  was  given  "a  negative  voice  in  the  making 
and  passing  of  all  laws,  statutes,  and  ordinances,  and  could  "ad- 
journ, prorogue  and  dissolve  the  assembly  "  whenever  he  deemed  it 
necessary.*  Issuing  a  warrant  for  the  election  of  a  new  assembly, 
he  cautioned  the  sheriffs,  by  wliom  it  was  to  be  held,  against  "  undue 
elections  and  returns;"  but  the  latter  were  themselves  creatures  of 
the  corrupt  combination  which  had  been  formed,  or,  as  the  record 
states,  "were  for  the  most  part  men  of  mean  rank"  who  "had  been 
continued  in  their  places  from  year  to  year  by  Governor  Fletcher," 
and  who,  "instead  of  complying"  with  their  instructions,  "carried 
themselves  most  unfairly,  in  so  much  that  one  of  them  made  return 
for  a  county  (viz:  Orange  couuty)  in  which  he  suftered  not  any  one 
freeholder  to  vote."  f  Other  districts  shared  in  the  "  corruption  of 
the  franchise "  to  such  an  extent  that  when  the  assembly  convened, 
eleven  of  the  nineteen  members  of  which  it  was  composed,  it  is  said, 
"sat  by  controverted  elections,"  and,  having  the  majority,  " estab- 
lished themselves  and  brought  all  things  into  the  greatest  confusion." 

Finding  that  nothing  could  be  done  with  such  a  body  of  men,  Bello- 
mont  dissolved  the  assembly,  and  ordered  a  new  election,  taking  care 
that  Governor  Fletcher's  sheriffs  were  retired  from  the  management. 
The  result  was  satisfactory  to  him;  but  not  to  those  who  were  de- 
feated, who  complained  to  the  king,  that  "the  election  was  appointed 
to  be  upon  the  same  day  in  all  places  except  tlie  two  most  remote 
counties,  whereby  the  best  freehijlders,  who  had  estates  in  several 
counties,  were  deprived  of  giving  their  votes  at  several  elections;" 
that  "the  sheriffs  performed  the  business  they  were  appointed  for  by 
admitting  some  for  freeholders  who  were  not  so,  and  rejecting  others 
who  were  really  so,  as  they  voted  for  or  against  their  party,  and  by 
nominating  and  appointing  inspectors  of  the  poll  who,  upon  any 
complaint  of  unfair  dealing  gave  this  general  answer:  'If  you  are 
aggrieved,  complain  to  my  lord  Bellomont,'  and  the  same  practice  in 
all  places  gives  just  reason  to  believe  the  orders  for  it  came  from  his 
excellency." 

"  To  secure  a  majority  of  such  men  as  he  desired,"  continues  this 
remonstrance,  "his  lordship,  without  any  instruction  from  England, 
added  two  to  the  former  number,  viz :  one  more  to  be  chosen  for  the 
city  and  county  of  Albany,  and  one  for  the  county  of  Orange,  which 
last  is  by  act  of  assembly  made  a  part  of  the  county  of  New  York, 
and  has  not  twenty  inhabitants  freeholders  in   it,  and  never  before 


*  Col.  Hist.,  i.,  266. 

t  Stanley  Handcock  appears  as  sherift"  of  Orange  county  at  this  time.     He  was  also 
sheriff  of  New  York. 


COLONIAL  POLITICS.  47 


had  a  distinct,  representation  in  assembly.  By  this  means  one  Abra- 
ham Gouverueur,  a  Dutchman, — so  indigent  as  never  to  be  assessed  in 
the  public  taxes,  and  who,  as  is  reasonably  to  be  supposed,  had  a  deed 
of  some  land  made  to  him  of  purpose  to  qualify  him  for  it,  because 
he  never  had  any  land  before, — was  chosen  an  assemblyman,  and  is 
since  made  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives.  This  fellow 
was  formerly  convicted  of  murther  and  pardoned,  *  and  soon  after 
the  revolution  publicly  declared  that  Jacob  Leisler  had  carried  the 
government  of  New  York  by  the  sword,  and  had  the  same  right  to  it 
as  King  William  had  to  the  crown,  having  conquered  the  kingdom  of 
England.  At  the  meeting  of  the  assembly  it  appeared,  of  the  twen- 
ty-one representatives  there  were  but  seven  Englishmen,  the  remain- 
der being  all  Dutch  and  of  the  meanest  sort,  half  of  whom  do  not 
understand  English,  wliich  can  conduce  little  to  the  honor  of  the  En- 
glish interest  there."  f    " 

Notwithstanding  this  bitter  complaint,  the  assembly  instituted 
some  Important  reforms.  Grants  of  large  tracts  of  land  were  set 
aside,  the  elections  for  I'epresentatives  were  regulated,  and  provision 
made  for  the  severe  punishment  of  frauds  upon  the  revenue.  Had 
Bellomont  lived,  perhaps  more  general  reforms  would  have  been  se- 
cured; but  his  death,  in  1701,  was  followed,  after  a  short  administra- 
tion under  the  council,  by  the  appointment  of  Lord  Cornbury,  who 
not  (mly  restored  the  unscrupulous  officials  that  had  been  removed 
by  Bellomont.  but  earned  for  himself  the  "unenviable  distinction  of 
being  the  worst  of  all  tin;  governors  under  the  Ilnglish  crown." 
"Rapacious  without  a  parallel,  h(^  hesitated  not,"  says  one  of  his  bi- 
ographers, "to  apply  the  public  nxjuey  to  his  own  private  purposes; 
and  though  notoriously  vicious,  yet  he  was  so  intolerant  that  lie 
sought  to  establish  the  Episcopacy  at  all  hazards,  imprisoning  and 
prohibiting  ministers  of  other  denominations  from  exercising  tlieir 
functions,  without  his  special  license.  He  was,  moreover,  as  desti- 
tute of  gratitude,  as  of  courtesy,  injuring  those  most  from  whom  he 
had  received  the  greatest  benefits.  His  manners  were  as  ignoble  and 
undignified  as  his  conduct  was  base,  and  when  this  hopeful  scion  of 
royalty  wandered  about  the  streets  clothed  as  a  woman  (which  was 
a  common  practice  with  him)  the  people  felt  that  he  had  taken  Cali- 
gula for  a  model." 

But  a  better  state  of  affairs  was  born  of  the  excesses  which  Corn- 
bury  committed.      While  at  (jliour   Hall,  his   country  seat   in    Haver- 


*  Gouverneur  was  attached  to  the  administration  of  Governor  Leisler,  and  was  tried 
and  condemned,  with  others,  for  liis  participation  in  the  resistance  to  Governor  Slongh- 
ter,  during  which  several  of  the  king's  troops  were  killed,  including  Captain  MacGrego- 
rie.     He  was  subsequently  pardoned  by  the  king.     It  is  to  these  facts  the  text  refers. 

t  Col.  Hist.,  iv.,  621. 


48  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


straw,  he  surrounded  himself  with  such  men  as  Daniel  Honan,  the 
freeholders  looked  upon  his  extravag-anct;  with  alarm,  and,  throug-h 
the  assembVy,  refused  the  grants  of  money  which  he  asked.  The 
rights  of  the  people  with  regard  to  taxation,  to  courts  of  law,  to 
officers  of  the  crown,  were  speedily  asserted  and  increased  in 
strength  with  the  political  education  of  the  people.  When  Cornbury 
was  succeeded  by  Lovelace  (1709),  the  assembly  began  the  contest 
that  was  never  to  cease  but  with  independence.  The  crown  demand- 
ed a  permanent  revenue,  without  appropriation;  the  assembly  would 
only  grant  an  annual  revenue  and  appropriate  it  specifically.  The 
power  lodged  in  the  governor  to  dissolve  the  assembl}',  was  invoked 
in  A^ain;  the  people  were  mainl}'  of  one  mind  that  they  had  an  "in- 
herent right"  to  legislation,  springing-  "not  from  any  conmiission  or 
grant  from  the  crown,  but  from  the  free  choice  and  election  of  the 
people,  who  ought  not,  nor  justly  can,  be  divested  of  their  property 
without  their  consent."  In  all  the  long  struggle  which  followed  and 
which  culminated  in  the  Avar  for  independence,  the  representatives 
of  original  Orange  were  found  in  the  interest  of  freedom,  and  gave 
to  the  final  issue  its  most  consistent  advocates,  its  most  devoted 
adherents. 


LOCA  TION— PHYSIOLOGY.  49 


CHAPTER  IV. 

LOCATION  — PHYSIOLOGY — GEOGRAPHICAL    XOMEXCLATURE CLIMATE- 
GEOLOGY. 


TT^^HE  county  of  Orang-e,  erected  February  23d,  1798,  is  located 
i  between  41°  8'  8  and  41°  38'  N  latitude— 10'  E  and  43'  W 
long-itude  from  the  city  of  New  Yt)rk.  It  is  bounded  on  the  south 
by  Rockland  county  and  the  state  of  New  Jersey,  on  the  west  b}'^  the 
county  of  Sullivan  and  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  north  by 
the  county  of  Ulster,  and  on  the  east  by  Hudson's  river.  It  is  cen- 
trally distant  90  miles  from  Albany,  and  contains  838  square  miles. 
The  surface  of  the  county  is  mountainous  upon  the  south-east  and 
north-west  borders,  and  a  rolling  upland  through  the  center.  The 
Kittatenny  or  South  mountains  extend  in  several  parallel  rang'cs 
from  the  New  Jersey  line  north-east  to  the  Hudson,  ending'  in  the 
rocky  and  precipitous  bluflFs  known  as  the  Highlands.  The  Shawan- 
gunk  mountains  extend  from  the  Delaware  river  north-east  through 
the  north-west  cm'ner  of  the  count3\  Among  the  principal  ridges  are 
the  Warwick,  Bellvale,  and  Rough  and  Sterling  ranges,  near  the  south 
border  of  the  county,  and  the  Schunemunk  range.  The  extreme  north- 
west corner  of  tlie  county  is  occupied  by  the  series  of  highlands  ex- 
tending from  the  Delaware  river  into  Sullivan  county.  The  central 
portion  of  the  county,  lying  between  the  mountain  systems,  is  a  roll- 
ing upland,  broken  in  many  places  by  abrupt  and  isolated  hills  and 
the  deep  valleys  of  streams.  More  than  one-half  of  the  entire  sur- 
face of  the  county  is  susceptible  of  cultivation,  and  forms  a  fim;  agri- 
cultural district.  Along  the  south-west  border,  extending  through 
several  towns  and  into  New  Jersey,  is  a  low,  flat  region,  lying  upon 
the  streams,  and  known  as  the  Drowned  Lands.  This  tract,  consist- 
ing of  about  It, 000  acres,  was  originally  covered  with  water  and  a 
dense  growth  of  cedars;  but  a  large  portion  of  it  has  been  drained 
and  reclaimed,  and  now  forms  one  of  the  finest  agricultural  portions 
of  the  county.  On  the  extreme  north-west  and  forming  in  part  the 
boundary  line  of  the  county,  the  river  Mongaap  flows  south  and  unites 
with  the  Neversink.  Neversink  river  flows  south  ak)ng  the  west 
foot  of  the  Shawangunk  mountains,  and  forms  a  tributary  of  tlie  Dela- 
ware, the  latter  stream  being  for  a  short  distance  at  this  point  the 


50 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


boundary  lii^(3  of  the  state.  The  Pakadasink  or  Shawangnink  river 
flows  north  ahmg-  the  east  foot  of  the  Shawang'unk  mountains  and 
forms  a  tributary  of  the  Wallkill.  The  Wallkill  or  Paltz  river  flows 
north  through  near  the  center  of  the  county  and  forms  a  tributary  of 
the  Hudson  at  Rondout  in  Ulster  county.  Murderer's  creek,  and  its 
principal  tributary  the  Otterkill,  flow  east  through  near  the  center  of 
the  county  and  discharge  their  waters  into  the  Hudson.  Wawayanda 
creek  flows  south  into  New  Jersey,  and  re-entering  the  county  as  Po- 
chuck  creek,  unites  with  the  Wallkill.  Ramapo  river  rises  in  the 
south  part  of  the  county  and  flows  south  into  Rockland.  A  number 
of  small  local  streams  furnish  hydraulic  power  in  other  parts  of  the 
county.  The  principal  lakes  are  G-reenwood,  Thompson's,  Mombasha 
and  Orange,  which  with  a  series  of  smaller  bodies  of  water,  add  pic- 
tuesqueness  to  the  topog-raphy  of  the  county.  There  are  also  swamp 
districts,  in  addition  to  the  Drowned  Lands,  of  which  the  Chester 
meadows  have  been  largely  reclaimed  and  are  very  productive. 

MOUNTAINS    AND    VALLEYS. 

The  Highlands  are  the  most  prominent  of  the  mountain  ranges. 
Approached  from  the  north,  to  the  right  of  the  range  stands  the  an- 
ciently so-called  Butter  hill,  a  title  with  which  Irving  embalmed  it  in 
his  Knickerbocker  History.  It  is  now  quite  generally  known  as 
Storm-king,  a  title  bequeathed  to  it  by  the  poetic  fancy  of  Willis,  from 
the  fact  that  for  years  it  has  served  as  a  weather  signal  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  immediate  district.  At  one  time  a  cap  of  fog  upon  its 
crown  indicates  the  coming  of  rain;  at  another,  clouds  are  seen  rising- 
over  the  Shawangunk  range,  following  its  course 
north  and  south,  separating  into  two  parts,  the 
one  passing  over  the  Warwick  mountains  to  the 
Highlands,  the  other  over  the  hills  of  Ulster  U) 
Marlborough,  and  both  joining  as  it  were  over 
Butter  hill,  i)Ouring  out  torrents  of  rain,  not 
unfrequently  accompanied  by  reverberating 
peals  of  thunder  such  as  one  rarely  hears 
except  ill  similarly  broken  mountain  ran- 
ges. The  ancient  Dutch  navigators,  no- 
ticing the  latterpeculiarity,  preserved  a 
record  of  the  apparently  culminating 
point  of  tli('S(«  peals  in  the  Dunderbevf/ 
situated  further  south.  Butter  hill 
has  an  altitude  of  1524  feet.  Its 
ascent  from  the  riv(>r  front  is  pre- 
cipitous; on  the  north,  however,  it  is 
crossed  by  wagon  roads.  cko'-nest. 


MO  UNTAINS  AND   VALLEYS. 


51 


Cro'-nest,  adjoining-  Butter  liill  on  the  south,  is  the  second  peak  of 
the  rang-e,  rising  above  the  Hudson  1418  feet.  Its  modern  name  pre- 
serv(NS  in  substance  its  Alg-onquin  title,  wliich,  in  ancient  records,  is 
written  Navemng,  signifying-  "  a  resort  for  birds."  Tlie  name  is  re-, 
tained  in  the  Sandy  Hook  hig-hhmds  and  in  the  Neversink  river  in  Sul- 
livan and  Orange,  the  latter  as  well  as  the  Hudson  having-  on  its 
border  a  Cro'-nest — its  orig-inal  Navesing.  Bear  mountain  is  the 
third  ))rincipal  elevation,  rising  1350  feet  above  the  river.  Mount  In- 
dependence forms  the  back-g-round  of  the  plateau  at  West  Point,  and 
is  crowned  with   the  crunil)ling-  walls  of  Fort  Putnam.     Just  below, 

in  a  gorg-e  in 
the  rocks  divi- 
ding- the  sites 
of  forts  Clin- 
ton and  Mont- 
gomery, tiows 
Pt)pl open's  kill 
at  the  mouth 
of  which  the 
county  line 
leaves  the 
Hudson  and 
from  thence 
passes    amidst 

the  hills  south-westerly.  In  successive  proximity  are  the  elevations 
known  as  Black-rock  and  Deer  hill.  Ant  hill,  Lawyer's  hill.  Mount 
Rascal,  and  Peat,  Pine,  Cold  and  Round  hills.  Following-  the  range 
we  meet  Black-top,  Black-cup  and  Long  hills,  the  ancient  Dutch  Dun- 
derberg*,  Torn  mountain  and  Cape  hill,  Tom  Jones'  niount;iin  and 
Hendock  hill.  To  this  may  be  added  as  objects  of  interest  by  the 
way:  Kidd's  Pocket-book,  the  Lover's  Rocking-stone,  the  Giant's 
Haunt,  the  Giant's  Slipper,  Picnic  Rock,  Poised  Rock,  and  Erlin's 
Blutf — a  singular  mingling  of  poetic  and 
CiHnmonplace  titles,  and  suggestive  of 
paucit}'  in  proper  orthologic  terms. — 
The  Dunderberg  and  Torn  moinitain  are 
east  of  the  county  line,  and,  though  Ibr- 
mer  residents  of  Orange,  now  grace  the 
borders  of  Rockland.  In  this  enumera- 
tion they  serve  the  purpose  of  territorial 
monuments.  The  Torn  forms  the  right  shoulder  of  the  Ramapo  valley; 
its  name  and  its  appearance  alike  suggest  the  violence  with  which 
it  was  uplieaved  or  torn  from  its  fellows,  although  in  local  accepta- 

04 


VIEW    FROM    FORT    MONTGOMERY. 


TORN    MOUNTAIN. 


52  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


tion  "steeple"  is  understood  to  explain  its  title  and  its  resemblance. 

No  mountain  range  is  so  well  known  in  Europe,  nor  is  there  one 
with  which  the  history  of  our  own  nation  is  so  intimately  associated. 
The  visitor  at  Westminster  Abbey  reads  there  the  name  of  Andre; 
the  story  of  Arnold  is  sown  broadcast  throug'h  American  schools — 
both  point  to  one  center:  the  Hig-hlands  of  the  Hudson;  the  one  awa- 
kening regret  at  the  fate  of  the  young  and  gifted;  the  other,  nerving 
the  hearts  of  thousands  to  love  of  country.  Aside  from  its  history, 
the  range  has  an  economic  character.  It  tempers  the  winds  of  the 
sea-board,  and  bears  upon  its  sheltering  breast  the  fiercest  blasts  of 
many  storms.  Of  Storm-king  and  Cro'-nest  it  has  been  well  said,  by 
a  recent  writer:  "They  have  a  charm  that  might  induce  a  man  to 
live  in  their  shadow  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  have  them  always 
before  him,  daj^  and  night,  to  study  their  ever-changing  beauty.  For 
they  are  never  twice  alike;  the  clouds  make  varying  pictures  all  day 
long  on  their  wooded  sides,  and  nowhere  have  we  seen  more  wonder- 
ful effects  of  shadow  and  sunshine.  Under  the  frown  of  a  low  thun- 
der-cloud they  take  on  a  grim  majesty  that  makes  their  black  masses 
strangely  threatening  and  weird;  one  forgets  to  measure  their  height, 
and  their  massive,  strongly-marked  features,  by  any  common  stand- 
ard of  every-day  measurement,  and  they  seem  to  overshadow  all  the 
scene  around  them,  like  the  very  rulers  and  ccmtrollers  of  the  coming 
storm.  And  when  the  sunlight  comes  back  again,  they  seem  to  have 
brought  it,  and  to  look  down  with  a  bright  benignity,  like  giant  pro- 
tectors of  the  valley  below." 

The  Shawangunk  range  is  less  broken  than  the  Highlands.  It 
continues,  with  but  slight  breaks,  from  near  Carpenter's  point  on  the 
Delaware  to  the  Sullivan  and  Ulster  line,  and  forms  the  boundary 
line  between  Deerpark  and  the  towns  of  Greenville  and  Mount  Hope, 
those  being  the  only  towns  of  the  county  touched  by  the  range.  The 
eastern  slope  is  singularly  uniform,  and  is  adapted  to  cultivation  to 
the  summit;  the  western,  is  broken  and  precipitous,  presenting  peaks 
1,400  and  1,800  feet  above  tide.  Few  inland  landscapes  are  more 
beautiful  than  the  former.  Approached  from  the  east,  the  eye  rests 
upon  fields  of  grain  and  grass,  upturned  furrows,  the  verdure  of 
waving  trees,  and  the  homes  of  thrifty  husbandmen,  spread  out  from 
vale  to  crest,  from  south  to  the  far  north,  in  unwearying  panoramic 
beauty — a  patchwork  of  gold  and  green,  of  brown  and  gray,  of  white 
and  red^- 

"  As  though  all  tints 
Of  gem,  of  bird,  of  flower,  of  cloud,  of  sky, 
Had  met  and  blended  in  a  general  glow  I" 

The  name  by  which  the  range  is  known  does  not  strictly  belong  to 

it.     In  the  Indian  deed  to  Governor  Dongan,  and  in  the  subsequent 


MOUNTAINS  AND  VALLEYS.  53 


patent  to  Captain  John  Evans,  its  principal  divisions  are  given  re- 
spectively the  names  Pitkiskaker  and  Aiai'kaicading.  On  Santhier's 
map  the  same  divisions  are  called  Alaskayering  and  Shawangunk. 
Many  interpretations  of  the  latter  have  been  made.  In  Mather's 
Geology  of  New  York,  the  signification  is  given  as  "the  place  of  the 
white  rocks";  the  late  distingnished  Algonquin  linguist,  Henry  R. 
Schoolcraft,  renders  it,  "south  mountain";  the  Rev.  Charles  Scott, 
taking  Shawavgum  as  the  original,  "south  water";  anothei-  from 
jewan,  "swift  current,  or  strong  stream";  another  Irom  ^hong,  "mink 
river";*  and  an(Hher,  from  chi'egaitgoitg,  "  the  place  of  leeks."  The 
error  in  all  these  cases,  probably,  is  in  regarding  the  term  as  descrip- 
tive of  a  specific  place  or  physical  attribute,  rather  than  as  a  generic 
phrase.  All  writers  who  have  examined  the  subject  are  aware  that 
Indian  geographical  terms  are  of  two  classes:  general  or  generic, 
and  specific  or  local,  and  are  so  compounded  as  to  present  in  a  single 
expression  a  complex  idea,  or  several  ideas  among  which  there  is  a 
natural  connection.  In  specific  names  the  combination  may  be  simple, 
as  Coxsackie — co,  object,  and  acke,  land;  in  others  intricate,  as  Magh- 
aghkemek,  in  which  ackr,  land,  is  buried  in  cons(jnants  and  qualifying 
terms.  The  terminal  of  a  word  materially  aids  but  does  not  govern 
its  translation.  Uk  ov  unk  indicates  "place  of"  in  a  specific  sense, 
as  in  Moh?<n^, — ong,  "place  of"  in  a  more  general  sense,  as  in 
Warranawonko?)g',  the  place  or  territory  of  the  clan  of  that  name, — 
ik,  irk,  eck,  or  uk,  denotes  rocks  or  stones,— acA"  or  avke,  land, — ing 
or  ivk,  something  in  which  numbers  are  presented,  as  "the  place 
of  birds," — a/.s,  iie.<,  oh,  aun,  denote  a  single  small  object  or  place,  as 
Minnisai'.s,  a  small  island — a  number  of  islands,  Minnismgr  or  ink, — 
ixh,  eesh,  oosh,  or  sh,  indicates  a  bad  or  faulty  quality, — co  is  object; 
at,  at  or  near.  In  some  cases  tliese  r(X)t  terms  are  tiirown  into  the 
body  of  the  word,  as  in  Maghagkemek,  Aiaskawasting,  etc.  General 
terms  have  no  positive  reference  to  the  physiology  of  the  districts 
of  country  to  which  they  are  applied.  Wairayanda  is  of  this  class, 
and  also  the  term  or  jihrase  we  are  considering,  which  is  preserved  in 
two  forms:  the  Dutch  Shawangunk,  and  the  English  Ghaxvangong — the 
first,  in  translated  records  of  the  Esopus  war  (1663),  and  the  second 
in  English  deeds  twenty  years  later  but  practically  cotemporaneous 
with  the  first;  the  latter  is  known  to  be  correctly  written;  the  former 
may  perhaps  correspond  with  the  accepted  modern  orthography  rather 
than  with  the  original  Dutch.  While  regarding  Chawangong  as  the 
most  pleasant,  and  while  as  a  rule  the  English  rendering  of  all 
Algonquin  terms  is  the  most  correct,  the  only  material  difference  in 
this  case  is  in  the  terminal — the  one  indicating  a  specific  place;  the 
*  "  Shongham"  is  the  local  Dutch,  and  is  adopted  in  Silliman's  Journal. 


54  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

other,  place  or  territory  in  a  general  sense.  In  the  connection  in 
whicli  they  are  used  we  may,  however,  accept  them,  and  also  Shaican, 
Ghmvan,  and  Shimnin,  as  equivalent  terms  varied  by  dialect,  and  so 
acceptini;-  them  the  interpretation  is  as  plain  as  that  of  any  word  in 
the  English  language,  viz:  "the  place  or  territory  of  the  white  man." 
This  interpretation  and  no  other  harmonizes  with  historical  facts. 
In  no  case  does  it  appear  that  tlie  term  was  used  or  known  to  the 
Dutch  until  qftei-  they  had  conquered  tlie  district,  which  then  became, 
under  Indian  law,  the  place  or  territory  of  the  conquerors — literally, 
"the  place  of  the  white  man."  In  the  ti'eaty  of  peace  (1663),  and  in 
its  subsequent  renewal  (1665),  this  recognition  is  distinctly  made. 
In  tlie  latter  instrument  the  boundaries  of  the  conquered  territory 
are  defined  as  a  certain  "parcel  of  land,  lying  and  being  to  the  west 
and  south-west  of  a  certain  creek  or  river  called  by  the  name  of 
Kahanksen,  and  so  up  to  the  head  thereof  where  the  old  fort  was, 
and  so  with  a  direct  line  from  thence  through  the  woods  and  across 
the  meadows  to  the  Great  Hill  lying  and  being  to  tlie  west  and  south- 
west thereof,  which  Great  Hill  is  to  be  the  true  west  or  south-west 
bounds  of  the  said  lands,  and  the  said  creek  called  Kahanksen  the 
north  or  north-west  bounds  of  the  said  lands."  This  was  the  original 
Shawangunk  of  the  Dutch — a  district  embracing  many  specific  Indian 
localities,  the  names  of  none  of  which  were  subordinated  or  disturbed 
by  the  phrase  under  which  tlie  conquered  admitted  that  part  of  their 
territory  had  become  "  the  place  of  the  white  man."  That  the  term 
has,  strictly  speaking,  been  improperly  extended  to  mountain,  river, 
meadow,  etc.,  may  be  conceded,  yet  for  its  history,  its  poetry,  and 
its  orthology,  we  may  well  consent  to  let  it  forever  rest  upon  Pitkis- 
kaker  and  Aiaskawastin"-. 

The  Schunemunk  range  is  appropriately  described  as  "the  high 
hills  to  the  west  of  the  Highlands."  It  extends  from  north-east  to 
south-west,  and  is,  divided  longitudinally  principally  by  the  boundary 
line  of  Monroe  and  Blooming-Grove,  with  a  p(n"tion  on  the  north-east 
in  the  town  of  Cornwall.  It  was  the  original  dividing  line  between 
the  Wawayanda  and  Cliesekook  patents,  and  also  one  of  the  monii- 
ments  in  tiie  line  of  the  Evans  patent.  Its  name  appears  in  several 
forms.  In  the  deed  to  Governor  Dongan  (1684),  one  of  the  lines  of 
his  purchase  is  described  as  running  "  north-west  along  a  hill  called 
Skoonnenoghky\"  *  in  another  paper  of  the  same  period  it  is  called 
Skonnemoghky;  in  a  deed  to  Joseph  Sackett  (1727),  the  property  is 
described  as  being  on  the  "  south  side  of  a  high  hill  called  Skone- 
mugh;  in  a  deed  to  Edward  Blagg  (1726)  it  is  spoken  of  as  Schiina- 
mock  hill.     It  will  be  observed  that  the  prevailing  orthogi-aphy  down 

*  Ante  p.  22. 


MOUNTAINS  AND  VALLEYS. 


55 


to  tlio  Blag-g-  deed  contains  sko,  the  Algonquin  generic  term  for  fire, 
and  tiiat  tlie  terminal  indicates  a  certain  place.  From  this  analysis, 
without  considering  no,  7ia,  ne,  in  the  body  of  the  word  (signifying 
excellent),  we  have  the  literal  interpretation,  "fire  place,"  the  refer- 
^-.-^^^  ence  being  (as  in  Skootag,  now 

-''■^'^E-,  'fl     "^^^  ^  Schodac,)  to  the  principal  cas- 

tle or  palisaded  village  of  the 
clan  owning  the  land.  This 
castle  stood  on  the  north  spur 
of  the  range.  At  the  time  of 
,the  sale  it  was  occupied  by 
Maringoman  and  his  pe(jple, 
and  was  kiK)wn  and  called 
Maringoman's  castle,  to  dis- 
tinguish it  from  the  wigwam 
in  which  he  subsequently  lived, 
which  was  situated  in  Hamp- 
tonburgh  on  the  point  formed 
MARINGOMAN'S  cA.sTLE.  ]^y  ^j^j,  juuctioii  of  CromeHnc 

creek  and  the  Otterkill.  Tlie  latter  is  a  land-mark  in  the  boundaries 
of  several  patents  issued  subsequent  to  the  Evans. 

North  of  Schunemunk  is  Muchattoes  hill,  extending  north  and  south 
in  the  towns  of  New  Windsor  and  Newburgh.  Its  name  is  Algon- 
quin— muhk,  black;  at,  near  or  by;  oes,  small — signifying  literally, 
"  a  small  black  hill  near  the  river." 

West  of  Schunemunk  is  Woodcock  hill,  now  so  known,  but  called 
Winegtekonk  in  the  patent  to  Sir  John  Ashurst,  (1709),  and  Wenigh- 
konk'm  the  patent  to  Edward  Blagg  (1726).  The  present  name  re- 
quires no  explanation,  although  a  reasonable  apology  for  its  retention 
appears  to  be  necessary. 

From  Woodcock  hill  south-west  are  a  series  of  elevations  in  the 
following  order:  Round  hill,  in  shape  like  an  inverted  bowl;  Mos- 
quito hill,  a  jagged  elevation;  Rainer's  hill;  Pedler's  hill;  Tom  rocks, 
which  are  more  rocky  than  mountainous  and  rise  in  two  separate 
peaks  to  an  elevation  of  about  two  hundred  feet  above  the  surround- 
ing country;  Lazy  hill,  whose  gradual  slopes,  it  is  presumed,  sug- 
gested its  name;  and  Goose-pond  mountain. 

At  this  point  rise  what  are  known  as  the  Bellvale  mountains;  con- 
necting peaks  continue  the  line  to  the  Sterling  mountains  on  the 
south,  the  Rough  'mountains  and  Southfield  mountains  on  the  east, 
and  the  Warwick  mountains  on  the  south-west;  on  the  north-west  are 
the  Taylor  mountains.  Round  hill,  Rocky  hill,  and  Pochuck  mountain, 
filling  out  the  south-east  and  south-west  borders  of  the  county  with  a 


56 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


SUGAR-LOAF   MOUNTAIN. 


battlement  of  mountainous  elevations.  *  Pochuck  neck  and  Pochuck 
mountain  intrude  upon  the  drowned  lands.  Pochuck  is  of  course  Al- 
g-onquin  corrupted;  po  should  he  pogh  as  in  the  original  of  Rainapo, 
Poug-hkeepsie,  etc.;  tick,  as  in  Mahicanituk,  signifying  "large  areas  of 
land  and  water" — a  name  most  certainly  misapplied  to  the  mountain. 
Further  north,  in  Warwick,  are  Mount  Adam  and  Mount  Eve,  con- 
joined— the  former  mucli  the  highest,  the  latter  much  the  hmgest — 

which  spring-  up  from  the  bottom 
lands  and  the  rolling-  g-lades  sur- 
rt)unding  them  and  are  pictur- 
esque in  all  their  phases.  Direct- 
ly east,  in  Chester,  is  Sugar-loaf 
mountain,  which,  when  seen  from 
the  north,  resembles  a  sug-ar-loaf; 
hence  its  name.  Its  northern  as- 
cent is  quite  gradual,  its  southern 
broken  and  precipitous.  With  its 
adjacent  hills  it  is  the  apex  from  which  the  country  descends  to  the 
north  and  to  the  soutli.  It  is,  therefore,  a  very  prominent  ol)ject  for  a 
great  distance  on  either  side.  North-west  from  Sugar-loaf  is  Mount 
Lookout,  the  principal  elevation  in  the  town  of  Goshen,  where  both 
hills  and  stones  are  the  exception. 

Scattered  through  the  county  are  minor  elevations:  the  Comfort 
hills,  on  the  line  between  Montgomery  and  Crawford;  Pea  hill.  Pine 
hill,  and  Sloop  hill,  in  Cornwall;  Three-mile  hill,  and  Mount  Joy,  in 
Wallkill;  Rough  ridge,  and  Forge  hill,  in  New  Windsor;  King's  hill, 
in  Newburgh;  Jogee  hill,  in  Minnisink,  etc.,  the  latter  perpetuating 
in  its  name  the  name  and  residence  of  Keghgckapoivell  alias  Joghem, 
one  of  the  grantors  of  the  lands  included  in  the  Evans  patent.  In 
Deerpark,  Mount  William  and  Point  Peter  form  prominent  and  attrac- 
tive features  of  the  village  of  Port  Jervis. 

The  valleys  of  the  county  are  not  less  numerous  than  its  mountains 
and  streams.  That  portion  of  Deerpark  bordering  on  the  Delaware 
is  but  a  narrow  and  irregular  valley  broken  by  mountains  and  tribu- 
taries of  the  Delaware.  The  valley  of  the  Neversink  and  Basha's 
kill  comprises  the  main  portion  of  the  valuable  and  cultivated  lands 
of  the  town  of  Deerpark.  These  together  are  sometimes  called  the 
Huguenot  valley,  from  the  early  Huguenot  settlers  who  reclaimed  it 
from  the  Indians;  those  portions  along  the  Basha  and  Pine  f  kills  were 

*  The  principal  elevations  in  Wanvick  are  Hogback,  Decker,  One  Pine,  and  Pine  and 
Hull's  hills,  on  the  east;  Bill  and  Coxcomb  hills,  in  the  center;  Lonjj,  Cedar,  Pond,  and 
Bill  \\hite's  hills,  in  the  south-east;  Round,  Rocky,  and  Chuck's  hills  in  the  south;  Po- 
chuck mountain,  and  Green  and  Adney's  hills  in"  the  west;  and  Mount  Adam  and  Eve 
and  Round  hiU  in  the  north-west. 

t  An  affluent  of  Basha's  kill  in  Mamakating,  Sullivan  county. 


MOUNTAINS  AND  VALLEYS.  57 


long'  known  as  the  Peenpack  valley — a  name  corrupted  from  Ne.epe- 
vack,  the  orig'inal  western  boundary  of  the  Swart  wont  patent. — 
The  Wallkill  valley  widens  out  on  either  side  of  the  Wallkill.  It  is 
of  singular  beauty  and  fertility,  and  is  properly  classed  among  the 
finest  bottom-lands  of  the  state.  The  valley  of  the  Shawangunk  kill 
is  narrow  and  crooked.  To  the  east  of  the  valley  of  the  Wallkill 
is  that  of  the  Otterkill,  which  for  miles  runs  approximately  parallel 
with  the  former,  but  suddenly  turns  to  the  east,  and,  through  a  wind- 
ing course  amid  the  hills,  reaches  the  Hudson  above  the  Highlands. 
Throughout  this  valley,  says  a  recent  writer,  the  hills  approach  and 
retire  in  singular  fantasy,  affording  wide  alluvial  flats  and  pent  up 
gorges,  gradual  slopes,  and  steep  declivities,  hither  and  thither.  At 
Salisbury  it  narrows  to  a  gorge  of  rocks,  and  nearer  its  mouth 
assumes,  in  pictures(]ueness  and  beauty,  the  poetic  name  (by  Willis) 
of  Moodna  valley.  Cromeline  valley,  through  which  Cromeline  creek 
passes,  has  its  head  in  the  far  east  of  Warwick,  from  whence  it  fol- 
lows the  tortuous  course  of  the  stream  from  which  it  takes  its  name 
until  it  reaches  its  junction  with  the  valley  of  the  Otterkill,  present- 
ing throughout  scenes  wild  and  beautiful,  a  surface  varied  from  plain 
to  mountain,  a  soil  from  rich  t(j  poor,  smooth  to  broken  and  precipi- 
tous. Sugar-loaf  valley  runs  from  the  mountain  of  that  name  to 
Wickham's  pond,  and  from  thence  a  devious  course  to  the  village  of 
Warwick,  with  hills  and  mountains,  vales  and  headlands  intersecting; 
from  Warwick  its  course  continues  south  and  west  until  it  passes  out 
of  the  state.  Bellvale  valley,  or  the  lower  valley  of  Warwick,  extends 
from  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  village  of  Warwick  southerly  to 
Greenwood  lake  and  the  Sussex,  N.  J.,  clove.  It  is  an  especially  rich 
farming  section.  The  valleys  of  most  of  the  small  streams  have  more 
or  less  local  celebrity.  That  of  the  Arackhook  or  Tinn  Brock  has  many 
patches  of  beauty,  while  that  of  the  Quassaick,  near  its  confluence  with 
the  Hudson,  has  passed  into  history  under  the  title  of  "  The  Vale." 

The  principal  cloves — so  called  from  the  Saxon  word  cleopan,  "to 
split  asunder,"  and  meaning  "  valley  "  literally — are  known  as  Blagg's 
clove,  in  Blooming-Grove,  between  the  Schunemunk  and  Woodcock 
mountains;  Woodbury  clove,  in  Cornwall  and  Monroe,  between  the 
Schunemunk  and  the  Highlands,  now  traversed  by  the  Newburgh 
and  New  York  (Short-cut)  rail-road,  and  Smith's  clove,  extending 
from  Highland  Mills  to  the  Ramapo  valley.  Smith's  clove  has  fame 
in  revolutionai'y  history  from  its  occupancy  by  portions  of  the  Ameri- 
can army,  and  as  the  birthplace  of  chief-justice  William  Smith;  of 
his  brother,  Joshua  Hett  Smith,*  whose  name  is  associated  with  that 


*  "  A  place  called  Smith's  clove,  a  valley  which  took  its  name  from  my  family,  as  pos- 
sessing a  greater  part  of  the  land  it  contained,  as  well  as  around  its  vicinity." — J.  H. 
Smith's  Narralwe. 


58  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

of  Arnold  in  the  treason  at  West  I'oint,  and  also  of  the  locally  noto- 
rious Claudius  Smith  and  his  tM]ually  notorious  sons.  What  rcdation- 
ship  Claudius  sustained  to  the  eliief-justiee  and  to  Joshua,  it  may  not 
be  w»dl  to  inciuire;  *  it  is  sullit-ient  tn  know  that  in  their  devotion  to 
the  mother  (•nniilry  they  rit'hly  earned  the  name  of  tory,  and  that 
their  olVcnses  :i<;-ainst  their  whiu'  neii;-hl)ors  ditU>red  oidy  in  degree. 

Tortuous  eloves  IVom  Lons;-  and  I'oplopen's  ptnids,  converg-ing  to  the 
soutii  IVom  Hhu'k-top  mountain  and  Cat  hollow,  give  character  to 
Forest  of  Dean,  far  depresseil  lten(>ath  Bear  mountain,  where,  from  the 
south.  Two-pond  vaUey  intersects  and  thence  diverges  to  the  north- 
east and  reaches  tiie  Hudson,  lorming  a  succession  of  vales  where 
mountain  dills  and  jagged  rocks  occupy  the  foreground,  and  abrupt 
declivities  and  liroken  valh-ys  till  the  picture.  To  the  south  of  Black- 
rock  hill  lies  Kagle  valley — so  called  iVoin  local  tradition  describing 
it  as  tlie  resort  of  the  "  king  of  birds  " — through  which,  descending 
as  rocks  and  hills  permit,  in  crooked  course  to  the  Hudson,  the  waters 
from  Bog-meadow  pcuid  chant  their  music  and  linally  dash  over  the 
rocks  in  Ibaming  spray  forming  the  "  Boter  melck  val  "  of  the  early 
Dutch  skippers — the  Buttermilk  Falls  of  our  times.  Po])lopen's  val- 
ley— through  which  passes  the  waters  of  Toplopen's  creek,  the  outlet 
of  Poplopen's  and  other  mountain  ponds — is  similarly  constituted.  Its 
name  is  apparcuitly  IVom  that  of  a  highland  chieftain  whose  rude  castle 
once  crowned  one  of  the  adjacent  hilltops.  The  valley  of  the  Ramapo, 
the  largest  of  the  mountain  passes,  continues  Smith's  clove  to  the 
Hudson.  The  term  Ramapo  was,  it  is  assumed,  originally  given  to 
the  entire  district  as  one  of  "  many  ponds."  The  original  orthogra- 
phy, Ramxpook  ox  Iiamapogh,ho\\v  ver,  indicates  "a  river  into  which 
empties  a  mnnber  of  ponds,"  the  application  being  specific  to  the  river. 

POXns,    STREAMS,    ETC. 

Few  districts  of  country  are  so  bountifully  supplied  with  ponds 
and  streams  as  that  embraced  in  the  county  of  Orange.  On  hilltops 
(U-  in  valleys,  dashing  over  rocks,  winding  through  cultivated  lields, 
lying  in  repose,  or  chained  to  the  service  of  man  in  the  forge,  the 
factory,  or  the  mill,  they  are  not  only  a  source  of  wealth  but  beautify 
the  landscape.  The  lak(>  system  of  the  county  begins  in  the  northern 
part  iA'  the  Highlands  in  Cornwall,  I'ontinues  through  the  towns  of 
Highlands  and  Moiu-oe,  culminates  in  Warwick  in  that  beautiful 
sheet  of  water  known  as  Greenwood  lake,  and  from  thence  west  and 
north  appears  in  inland  reservoirs  of  various  sizes.  Cornwall  has 
one  pond,  Sutherland's;  Bog-meadow  pond.  Round  pond.  No.  1,  Long 
pond,  and  Cranberry  pond,  No.  1,  are  in  Highlands;  P(-)plopen's  pond, 


*  Tho  livttor,  in  his  Niivrative,  states  that  a  brdthor  of  hia,  whose  name  he  does  not 
give,  resided  in  tlie  Clove  "  about  three  miles  out  iif  the  inaiu  road." 


PONDS,  STREAMS,  ETC.  59 


Bull  or  Agnol's  pond  (also  called  Wood  lake),  Summit  lake,  Two  ponds 
or  Twin  ponds  (upper  and  lower).  Slaughter's  pond.  Cranberry  pond. 
No.  2,  Greenwood  pond,  Hazzard's  pond,  Round  pond.  No.  2,  Mom- 
basha  pond,  Cedar  pond,  No.  1,  Truxedo  or  Duck-cedar  pond.  Round- 
island  pond.  Little  Long  pond.  No.  1,  Little  Long-  pond.  No.  2,  Gi'een 
pond,  Car  pond,  Spruce  pond,  and  Nigger  pond,  are  in  Monroe;  Wick- 
liain's  pond,  Sterlipg  lake.  Cedar  pond.  No.  2,  and  Greenwood  lake, 
are  in  Warwick;  Thompson's  pond,  on  the  line  between  Warwick  and 
Chester;  Binnenwater  or  Maretange  pond,  in  Greenville;  Washington 
lake,  in  New^  Windsor;  Orange  lake,  in  Newbuigh;  Big  pond,  and 
Little  pond,  in  Deerpark;  and  Round  pond.  No.  3,  in  Wawayanda. 

Sutherland'^ pond,  in  Cornwall,  lies  under  the  shadow  of  Bhick-rock 
hill,  south-west  from  Cro'-nest,  and  is  about  half  a  mile  long.  Its 
name — like  that  of  otliers  in  the  series  which  will  be  recognized  with- 
out special  notice — is  that  of  an  individual  owner.  Its  outlet  runs 
west  and  south  "and  unites  with  Murderer's  creek,  after  furnishing  the 
falls  that  are  seen  near  the  Cornwall  mineral  spring. 

Bog-meadow  pond,  the  first  in  the  town  of  Highlands,  lies  south-west 
from  Black-rock  hill.  It  covers  about  three  hundred  acres  of  land, 
and  has  a  depth  of  some  twenty-five  feet.  Its  outlet  dashes  over 
the  rocks  at  Buttermilk  Falls  and  reaches  the  Hudson.  Round  povd, 
No.  1,  and  Long  pond  are  north-west  from  Highland  Falls.  The 
former  is  more  elevated  than  the  latter,  into  which  its  waters  flow; 
the  outlet  of  the  latter  unites  with  Poplopen's  creek.  The  waters  of 
Round  pond,  in  making  connection  with  Long  pond,  flow  under  a 
natural  bridge,  the  breadth  of  winch  is  fifty  feet,  and  its  length,  up 
and  down  stream,  seventy-five  or  eighty  feet.  It  is  used  as  a  bridge, 
and  one  may  ride  over  it  without  being  aware  of  it.  There  is  no 
daylight  under  it.  The  stream  on  the  upper  side  passes  into  a  cave 
and  is  lost  to  sight  until  it  emerges  from  another  cave  on  the  other 
side.  Willis  describes  it  as  "  a  massive  porch,  cijvering  the  last  stair 
of  a  staircase  by  which  a  cascading  stream  descends  into  a  mountain 
lake."  It  diflc'rs  in  situation  only,  however,  from  the  subterranean 
passage  of  the  outlet  of  Washington  lake  in  New  Windsor.  Cran- 
berry pond.  No.  1,  is  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  and  south-west 
from  Fort  Montgomery. 

Poplopen's  jiond,  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town,  and  Bull  or 
Agnel's  pond,  its  neighbor  on  the  south-west,  are  the  first  of  the 
Monroe  series,  and  lie  north-west  from  Forest  of  Dean.  Their  waters 
flow  to  Poplopen's  creek.  Summit  Jake,  Two  ponds,  Slaughter's  pond, 
Cranberry  pond.  No.  2,  Greenwood  or  Echo  pond,  Bound  pond,  No.  2, 
Green  pond,  and  Car  pond,  lie  in  a  chain  south-south-west  from  Poplo- 
pen's; Cedar  pond  and  Little  Long  pond,  No,  1,  are  east,  and  Spruce 


60  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

and  Truxedo  ponds  west  of  the  chain  line;  Nigger  pond  is  in  the 
extreme  southern  part  of  the  town.  The  waters  of  Two  ponds  flow 
to  Pophjpen's  creek;  those  of  Summit  lake,  Slaughter's,  Cranberry, 
No.  2,  Greenwood,  and  Round,  No.  2,  are  united  for  the  use  of 
Greenwood  furnace  and  from  thence  flow  to  the  Ramapo;  Little  Long 
pond,  No.  1,  and  Cedar  pond,  No.  1,  send  their  waters  into  Rock- 
land county  and  there  unite  with  the  Ramapo,  while  those  of  Green, 
Car,  Spruce,  Truxedo  and  Nigger  ponds  unite  with  the  same  stream 
in  Orange.  Slaughter's  pond  is  about  one  mile  and  a  half  long  and 
half  a  mile  wide,  and  Cedar  and  Little  Long  ponds  are  of  nearly  the 
same  size.  Truxedo  pond  is  two  miles  long,  north  and  south.  Green- 
wood, Green,  Car,  Spruce  and  Nigger  ponds  are  small.  Round  pond, 
No.  2,  or  Little  Round  pond,  more  nearly  resembles  a  vast  moat  than 
a  pond,  as  a  circular  wooded  island  nearly  fills  its  circumference.  In 
most  cases  the  names  of  these  ponds  require  no  explanation;  but  of 
Truxedo  it  may  be  remarked  that  it  is  apparently  a  corruption  of 
Truxillo,  while  the  surname,  "Duck-cedar,"  is  a  misnomer.  Hazzard's 
pond,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town  and  west  from  Poplopen's,  is  about 
half  a  mile  in  diameter.  Its  outlet,  Woodbury  creek,  furnishes  power 
to  the  Highland  Mills;  flows  thence  north  through  Woodbury  clove, 
and  unites  with  Murderer's  creek.  Round-island  pond — so  named  from 
a  round  island  in  it  called  Chestnut — lies  south-west  from  Hazzard's 
and  near  the  line  of  Blooming-Grove.  It  is  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  wide  and  three-quarters  of  a  mile  long,  and  is  the  head  of  the 
Ramapo  river.  Little  Long  pond,  No.  2,  is  nearly  south  from  Round- 
island  and  near  the  Chester  line.  It  is  about  one  mile  long  and  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  wide.  Its  outlet  furnishes  part  of  the  head  waters 
of  Cromeline  creek.  Momhasha  pond  is  in  the  west  part  of  the  town, 
near  Warwick.  It  is  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  miles  in  diameter, 
and  contains  two  or  three  islands.  Its  outlet  flows  north-east  and 
thence  south  passing  the  Southtield  works,  furnishing  power  for 
mills  and  forges.  Its  name  is  presumed  to  be  a  corruption  of  Mom- 
baccu.%  "the  place  of  death" — the  reference  apparently  being  to  a 
burial  ground  or  a  battle  field. 

The  Warwick  series  begin  with  Sterling  lake,  in  the  south-east, 
covering  about  sixty  acres  of  land.  At  its  outlet  was  established,  in 
1751,  by  Ward  &  Colton,  the  Sterling  Iron-works,  which  have  been 
continued  since  that  time.  Genl.  William  Alexander,'  Lord  Sterling, 
was  interested  in  the  works  prior  to  the  Revolution,  and  from  him  the 
works  and  the  lake  take  their  name.  The  outlet  of  the  lake  flows  into 
New  Jersey.     Cedar  pond,  No.  2,*  lying  south-east,  unites  its  waters 

*  The  figures  inserted  after  the  names  of  ponds  are  to  distinguish  them  from  others 
of  the  same  name,  of  which  there  are  several  in  the  county.  The  poverty  of  the  lan- 
guage is  so  great  that  the  donors  of  these  names  were  probably  forced  to  repetition. 


PONDS,  STREAMS,  ETC.  61 


with  the  waters  of  Sterling'  lake  above  Sterling'  works.  Wickham'H 
pond,  in  the  north,  covers  an  area  of  about  eighty-tive  acres.  Its 
outlet  is  a  tributary  of  Wawayanda  creek.  Greenwood  lake  is  the 
largest  body  of  water  in  the  town  or  county.  It  is  about  nine  miles 
long  and  one  mile  wide;  extends  into  New  .Jersey,  and  is  us(k1  as  a 
feeder  for  the  Morris  canal.  Its  original  name,  Long  pond,  although 
descriptive  of  its  shape,  was  long  enough  in  use;  its  present  title  is 
the  offspring  of  more  cultivated  taste. 

Thompiion's  pond  is  in  the  north-west  part  of  Warwick,  east  of 
Florida,  and  extends  into  Chester.  It  covers  an  area  of  about  one 
hundred  acres.  Its  outlet  furnishes  power  for  grist  and  saw  mills 
and  is  a  tributary  of  Quaker  creek.  It  has  recently  been  re-christen- 
ed and  is  now  entered  on  the  map  Glenmere  lake,  tliough  why  "lake" 
should  be  added  is  not  clear.  "  Glen"  is  a  depression  between  hills; 
"mere,"  a  pool  or  lake. 

Binnenwater,  in  Greenville,  covers  about  fifty  acres,  and  sends  its 
waters  to  Rutger's  creek.  It  lies  about  two  miles  southerly  frimi  the 
village  of  Mount  Hope,  about  one  and  one-half  miles  south-east  from 
Finch ville,  and  about  one  mile  south  from  the  boundary  line  between 
Mount  Hope  and  Greenville.*  At  one  time  it  was  an  important  land- 
mark, constituting  the  south-west  corner  of  the  Evans  patent  and  the 
south-east  line  of  the  Minnisink.  Half  a  century  or  more  later  a  new 
line  was  established  for  the  Evans  patent  further  east,  the  Minnisink 
angle  formed,  and  the  pond  excluded  from  the  boundary.  In  the  deed 
to  Governor  Dongan  it  is  described  as  "a  water  pond  called  Mare- 
tange";  in  the  patent  to  Evans  it  is  called  Merchary;  on  Sauthier's 
map,  Maretang, — from  the  German  "  merche,"  "mericha,"  an  aquatic 
plant  of  the  genus  hippuris  vulgarHs,  having  silicious  jointed  stems. 
The  present  name  is  German;  its  correct  orthography  is  Bmnemvasfter 
(one  word),  signifying  "inland  water."  The  original  title  should  be 
restored  to  the  maps  of  the  county  for  its  historic  associations,  or  at 
least  coupled  with  its  more  modern  name. 

Round  pond,  in  Wawayanda,  is  emphatically  round.  It  lies  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town  near  Gardnerville,  and  is  about  one  mile  in 
circumference.  It  is  clear  and  I'resh,  very  deep,  indeed  reputedly 
bottomless,  and  has  no  visible  outlet  or  inlet. 

Big  ]Mnd,  in  Deerpark,  is  about  one  mile  long  and  half  a  mile  wide. 
Its  outlet,  known  as  Shingle  kill,  passes  south  and  enters  the  Dela- 
ware at  Honesville.  Little  pond,  in  the  same  town,  lies  south-east  from 
Big  pond,  and  is  about  one  quarter  of  a  mile  in  diameter.  Its  outlet 
passes  south  and  forms  Old-dam  brook,  a  tributary  of  the  Neversink. 


*  This  line  is  the  old  east  and  west  line  of  the  original  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster. 
New  Windsor  and  Cornwall  are  also  divided  by  this  line. 


62  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

Wai^hinglon  lake,  in  New  Windsor,  covers  seventy-six  acres,  or,  in- 
cluding overflowed  swamp,  one  hundred  and  seven  acres.  Its  outlet, 
for  some  distance,  is  subterraneous,  disappearing  at  the  Swallow-hole 
and  emerging  at  the  Trout-hole — a  fall  of  forty  feet.  The  Newburgh 
Water-works  take  its  waters.  For  years  it  was  known  as  Little 
pond,  and  is  still  so  caMed  by  many. 

Orange  lake,  in  Newburgh,  covers  some  four  hundred  acres  of  land, 
and  is  quite  deep  in  places.  At  different  times  it  lias  been  known  as 
Binneuwasser  (by  the  Germans),  Moose's  pond,  Machin's  pond  (from 
Captain  Thomas  Machin),  and  Big  pond,  the  latter  giving  place  to  its 
present  title.  The  Algonquin  name  was  QusHuk — now  rendered 
Quassaick  and  applied  to  its  outlet.  It  is  fed  by  two  small  streams 
in  addition  to  strong  springs  in  its  bed.  'YUv  mill  owners  on  its 
outlet  use  it  as  a  reservoir,  and  during  the  most  severe  droughts  the 
supply  has  never  been  exhausted. 

Tiie  whole  county  is  remarkably  rich  in  the  lacustrine  and  marsh 
alluvions;  indeed,  they  are  more  abundant  than  in  any  other  county 
in  the  state,  there  being  probably  forty  thousand  acres.*  The  prin- 
cipal districts  are  the  Drowned  lands,  the  Gray-court  meadows.  Big- 
swamp  in  Newburgh,  Great  swamp  in  New  Windsor,  Long  swamp  in 
Warwick,  Tamarack  and  Purgatory  swamps  in  Hamptonburgh,  Cedar 
swamp  in  Goshen  and  Warwick,  Pakadasink  swamp  in  Greenville, 
Grassy  swamp  in  Deerpark,  Pine  swamp  in  Crawford,  Barton's  swamp 
in  Cornwall,  and  the  Black  meadows  in  Chester  and  Warwick. 

The  Droxoned  lands  extend  from  the  Chechunk  outlet  in  Goshen, 
through  Warwick,  Wawayanda,  and  Minnisink,  into  New  Jersej^  and 
cover  in  the  towns  named  about  seventeen  thousand  aci*es.  They  are 
full  of  islands  of  great  fertility;  some  of  them  of  considerable  area. 
Their  names  are  Pine,  Great,  Pellet's,  Gardner's,  Merritt's,  Cranberry, 
Black-walnut,  Fox,  and  Seward.  An  arm  of  the  lands,  known  as  Cedar 
sivamp,  extends  east  to  near  Orange  farm  in  Goshen.  Quaker  creek 
passes  through  this  arm  on  the  north,  and  mounts  Adam  and  Eve 
adjoin  it  on  the  south.  The  reclamation  of  the  lands  has  been  gradual 
and  is  mainly  effected  by  an  outlet,  constructed  many  years  ago,  by 
which  a  rocky  ridge  in  the  bed  of  the  Wallkill  was  avoided.  This 
outlet  has  worn  its  way  through  the  soil  until  from  a  simple  ditch  it 
has  come  to  contain  the  principal  flow  from  the  lands.  Pocluick  creek, 
Rutger's  creek,  Quaker  creek,  and  the  Wallkill,  pass  through  the 
lands,  the  latter  for  their  entire  distance  in  this  county.  The  Abo- 
riginal name  of  the  district  may  well  have  been  Pochuck — "  a  large 
area  of  land  and  water."  It  is  presumed,  however,  that  the  Indians 
had  no  general  name,  but  gave  specific  titles  to  different  portions  of 

*  Beach's  "Cornwall,"  175. 


PONDS,   STREAMS,  ETC. 


63 


GRAY-COURT    MEADOWS. 


the  tract,  of  which  Pochuck  and  Woerawin  only  have  been  preserved. 
The  latter  appears  in  a  deed  to  Dr.  Samuel  Staats,  in  1703,  for  a  tract 
not  located  but  described  as  having  been  found  on  examination  to  be 
"altogether  a  swamp."  The  inference  from  the  term  itself,  however, 
is  that  "many  good  lands"  were  intended  to  be  conveyed — probably 
the  islands  already  named,  which  then  appeared  to  be  worthless. 
The  Gray-court  meadoivi^  extend  from  near  Craigville,  in  Blooming- 
Grove,  into  the  northern 
part  of  Chester,  and  em- 
brace about  five  hundred 
acres.  They  are  now  main- 
ly under  cultivation  and 
very  fertile.  Their  name 
is  that  originally  given 
by  Daniel  Cromeline  to  his 
tract  in  the  first  division 
of  the  VVawayanda  pat- 
ent,* of  which  they  are  a 
part.  Cromeline  creek 
passes  through  and  drains  these  meadows. 

The  Black  vieadoios  extend  through  Chester  on  the  north-west  and 
into  Warwick  east  of  Thompson's  pond.  They  embrace  an  area  of 
one  thousand  acres,  through  which  runs  the  Black-meadow  creek. 

The  Lovg  svnmp,  in  Warwick,  south-west  from  Edenville,  covers 
about  one  thousand  acres,  and  is  drained  from  the  south  into  New 
Jersey. 

The  Tamarack  and  Purgatory  swamps,  in  Hamptonburgh,  are  of 
considerable  extent,  and  are  drained  by  a  small  sluggish  stream. 
The  latter  is  represented  as  having  been  originally  a  dismal  swamp, 
from  which  fact  Mr.  Peter  Bull,  its  owner,  gave  the  name,  bestowing 
at  the  same  time  upon  his  own  residence  that  of  Paradise.j* 

The  GraHi^y  swamp,  in  Deerpark,  extends  from  Sullivan  county  to 
the  Mongaup.  It  is  a  low,  wet  swamp,  overgrown  with  long,  coarse 
grass.     Grassy-swamp  brook  passes  through  it. 

The  Big  swamp,  in  Newburgh,  takes  its  name  from  Big  pond  (Or- 
ange lake),  which  it  adjt)ins.  It  stretches  from  the  Ulster  county  line 
lo  the  lake,  and  was  probably  originally  an  extension  of  the  lake  to 
the  north  as  well  as  south  of  its  present  borders,  which,  if  all  under 
water,  would  add  three  times  to  its  present  length.  Bushfield  creek 
passes  through  the  swamp  to  the  lake. 


*  Three  of  the  original  divisions  of  the  patent  retain  the  names  bestowed  by  their  pro- 
prietors, viz:  Goshen,  Warwiclt,  and  Gray-court.  It  is  perhaps  needless  to  say  that  the 
story  of  an  inn,  a  sign,  and  a  court,  is  pure  fiction. 

t  Eager's  Orange  County,  511. 


64  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

The  Great  >fioamp,  in  New  Windsor,  lies  in  the  north-west  part  of 
tlie  town,  near  Coldenham.  The  Araekhook  or  Tinn  Broek  i)asses 
throu,i;'h  it. 

Tile  Fi)ie  swamp,  in  Crawford,  lies  east  of  Hopewell.  Two  other 
swamps  are  found  in  the  town,  one  north-west  from  the  Sinsabaug-h 
neia,'hborhooil,  and  oiu'  south-east  from  Searsbnrgh.  The  hitter  is 
drained  by  a  small  stream  Howing-  north  to  the  Dwaas  kill. 

The  Fak-adasink'  swamp,  in  Greenville  (on  the  lands  of  Isaac  M. 
Seybolt  and  others),  is  the  head  of  the  Big-  Pakadasink  or  Shawan- 
o-unk  kill,  as  that  stream  was  formerly  known  and  described.  The 
Little  Binnenwater  swamp,  also  in  Greenville,  lies  directly  south  from 
the  village  i)f  Mount  Hope.  A  small  stream  flows  from  it  south- 
westerly and  connects  with  the  outlet  of  Binnenwater  pond,  the 
latter  uniting  with  Rutger's  creek. 

The  Barton  sicavip,  in  Cornwall,  is  inconsiderable  in  size,  compared 
with  the  others  named.     Peat  of  a  fair  quality  is  taken  from  it. 

Marl  and  peat  beds  are  found  in  several  localities,  from  which  por- 
tions and  in  some  cases  entire  skeletons  of  the  Mastodon  have  been 
exhumed.  The  lirst  exhumation  of  record  was  in  1794,  the  second  in 
1800,  the  third  in  1803,  the  fourth  in  1805,  the  tifth  in  1838,  the  sixth 
in  1844,  the  seventh  iij  1845,  the  eighth  in  the  same  year,  the  ninth  in 
1872.  The  skeleton  of  1845,  exhumed  from  a  marl  bed  near  Colden- 
ham, was  complete  and  weighed  1995  pounds.  It  is  now  in  the 
Boston  mnseiun.  *  The  one  exhumed  in  1872,  in  the  town  of  Mount 
Hope,  was  also  complete.  Its  weight  was  about  1700  jiounds.  It  is 
now  in  tlii'  New  Haven  museum. 

The  boundary  streams  of  the  county  are  the  Hudson  on  the  north- 
east, the  Delaware  and  Mongaup  on  the  west,  atid  the  Shawangunk 
on  the  north-west.  Of  the  tirst,  the  Hudson,  it  is  not  necessary  to 
speak.  Its  aboriginal  name,  Mahicanituk,  was  tiiat  of  a  particular 
division  rather  than  of  the  entire  streaiu.  The  principal  harbor  on  it, 
within  what  may  be  called  the  waters  of  Orange  county,  is  at  Ncav- 
burgh  where  it  expands  into  a  bay  one  mile  and  a  quarter  in  width 
sheltered  by  the  Highlands  from  "  all  winds  save  an  east-north-east 
wind,"  as  Hudson  wrote  in  1609.  For  the  convenience  of  com- 
merce, principal  landing  places  or  wharves  have  been  established  at 
Newburgh,  Cornwall,  and  West  Point,  and  for  more  local  trade  at 
Hampton,  New  Windsor,  Cozzens',  Fort  Montgomery,  etc.  The  water- 
front of  the  city  of  Newburgh  is  without  a  rival  on  the  river,  the 
chann(d  being  abrupt  and  the  depth  anq:)le  to  tloat  tiie  largest  vessels. 

The  Delaware,  on  the  west,  touches  the  county  for  only  a  short  dis- 
tance.    Like  the  Hudson,  it  had  no  general  aborig-inal  name — Lenape- 

*  Eager's  Orange  County,  71. 


PONDS,  STREAMS,  ETC.  65 


wihifuk  being'  applied  U)  it  at  Philadelphia,  while  above  and  below 
Port  Jervis  it  was  known  and  called  by  the  Indians  Minnmng — lite- 
rally "  a  ri%'er  of  islands."  *  Beyond  rafting  it  has  no  commerce  at 
this  point,  and  is  crossed  by  rail-road  and  foot  bridg-es. 

The  Mongaup  river,  the  dividing  line  between  Orang-e  and  Sullivan, 
is  properly  in  Sullivan  county,  the  line  of  Orarlge  running'  "to"  and 
"along"  its  course.  Mr.  Qninlan,  in  his  "History  of  Sullivan  Coun- 
ty," says  it  was  originally  known  as  the  Min-gap-ach-ka.  Mongawp- 
ing  or  Mingwing,  is  better  authenticated — implying  a  plurality  of 
streams,  comprehending  the  three  branches  of  vvhicli  it  is  composed. 
Its  present  name,  as  already  stated,  is  presumed  to  be  Dutch.  It 
appears  in  the  early  records,  Mongaap.  f 

The  Shawangimk  kill,  on  the  north-west,  has  its  head  in  Pakadasink 
swamp  in  the  town  of  Greenville,  passes  through  the  town  of  Mount 
Hope,  and  upon  the  line  between  Ulster  and  Orange,  running  a  north- 
east course  to  the  Wallkill,  in  Ulster  county.  Its  present  name  has 
already  been  explained.  Like  other  streams — and,  it  may  be  said,  all 
streams,  mountains,  etc., — it  had  no  general  name,  but  was  specifi- 
cally divided,  Achsinink  being  recorded  in  one  locality,  and  Pakada- 
sink in  another.  In  the  deed  to  Governor  Dongan  it  is  described  as 
"the  river  called  Peakadasink,"  and  in  the  act  of  1762,  dividing  Wall- 
kill  precinct,  |  the  line  is  described  as  extending  "to  the  Pakadasink 
river  or  Sliawangunk  kill."  In  another  paper  of  nearly  the  same 
date  it  is  said,  as  well  understood  evidence:  "Nothing  could  more 
plainly  point  out  where  that  pond  lies  (Maretange,)  than  the  river 
Pakadasink,  which  takes  its  rise  opposite  to  the  said  pond  and  ex- 
tends along  the  foot  of  the  said  hills  from  a  place  called  Pokanasink, 
and  from  that  place  to  the  head  of  the  said  river,  and  no  where  else 
the  said  river  is  called  by  that  name."  How  the  river  lost  a  name  so 
well  established  is  explained  by  the  papers  relating  to  the  bounds 
of  the  Minnisink  patent.  Having  succeeded  in  spreading  their  line, 
the  proprietors  of  that  patent  found  it  necessary  to  obliterate  its  old 
land-marks.  A  general  change  of  names  ensued;  Maretange  pond 
was  located  on  Sam's  Point;  the  Big  and  Little  Pakadasink  kills  (the 
latter  now  called  the  Little  Shatvangunk  kill,)  were  shifted  to  the  same 
vicinity,  and  to  make  the  whole  apparently  and  entirely  consistent 
two  small  streams  in  Crawford  received  the  names  respectively  of 
Big  and  Little  Pakadasink,  that  it  might  not  be  missed  in  its  ancient 
neighborhood.      The  original   name   contains  equivalents   signifying 


*  Minnis  and  Minsis  are  two  entirely  different  words — the  first  signifying  island,  the 
second  wolf.  Some  writers  confuse  the  terms  and  give  the  latter  as  the  derivative  of 
Minnisink.  The  explanatory  tradition  that  either  name  originated  from  the  breaking 
through  of  the  waters  at  the  Delaware  Water-Gap,  is  not  well  founded. 

t  Ante  p.  41.  %  Ante  p.  39. 


66  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

"swamps,"  and  beings  generic  may  be  applied  wherever  the  corres- 
ponding- topography  exists.* 

The  principal  streams  passing  through  or  entirely  included  in  the 
county  are  tlu^  Neversink,  the  Wallkill,  the  Otterkill  or  Murderer's 
cre(>k,  and  the  Ramapo.  Tiie  Neversink  receives  its  head  waters  from 
ni)rth-western  Ulster  and  northern  Sullivan.  It  runs  sontli  and  south- 
east into  the  town  of  Deerpark  to  near  Cuddebackville,  and  thence 
turns  south  and  south-west  until  it  joins  the  Delaware  near  Carpen- 
ter's point,  where  it  is  al)out  two  hundred  feet  wide.  It  is  a  never- 
failing  stream.  Its  name  has  been  explained  in  another  connection. 
Its  principal  tributaries  are  Bashaws  kill  and  Old-dam  brook  (Ouwe-dam 
kil).  The  former  rises  in  Sullivan  county,  and  is  about  seventy  feet 
wide.  Its  name  is  said  to  be  irom  an  Indian  s(iuaw-sachem  called 
Basha  Bashiba,  who  liv(>d  on  its  banks  near  Westbrookville.f  OUl- 
dam  brook  is  the  outlet  ol'  Little  pond.  Its  name  is  from  an  old  datn 
erected  upon  it  by  Indians  or  beavers,  which  caused  its  waters  to 
overflow  a  large  tract  of  land.  About  half  a  mile  above  its  junction 
with  the  Neversink,  it  falls  over  six  hnndred  feet  in  the  course  of  a 
mile,  and  is  called  Fall  brook. 

The  Wallkill  rises  in  Wantage,  Sussex  county,  New  Jersey,  flows 
through  the  drowned  lands  into  Orange  where  it  forms  the  dividing 
line  between  Warwick  and  Minnisink,  Goshen  and  Wawayanda, 
Hamptonburgh  ami  Wallkill,  passes  through  the  town  of  Montgom- 
ery into  Ulster  county,  and  thence  to  the  Hudson  river  at  Rondout. 
Its  course  is  north-east;  the  plane  of  elevation  upon  which  it  runs 
being  from  Sussex  county  in  New  Jersey,  descending  gradually  to 
near  Esopus  in  Ulster.  It  is  a  durable  stream,  and  furnishes  exten- 
sive hydraulic  power  throughout  its  course.  Its  current  is  not  rapid, 
except  at  Walden,  where  it  passes  over  a  fall  of  about  forty  feet.  | 
Its  aboriginal  name  is  not  known,  but  the  presumption  is  in  favor  of 
Warranawonkong.  Its  present  name  is  unquestionably  from  the 
Huguenots  or  Walloons  who  settled  New  Faltz,  it  being  repeatedly 
entered  in  the  records  as  "the  Walls  or  Faltz  river."  §     Its  principal 


*  It  will  be  observed  by  those  familiar  with  the  district  that  the  topography  in  this  case 
corresponds  almost  precisely.  It  is  not  assumed  that  the  name  is  in  itself  iiiiproperly  ap- 
plied to  its  present  locations;  it  is  strictly  correct. 

t  Quinlan's  History  of  Sullivan  County,  423.  In  the  Swartwout  patent  it  is  called 
the  Assawaghkemeck,  from  "  wassa,"  light  or  foaming,  and  "  eck,"  rocks — hterally  the 
"  light  waters,"  reference  being  made  to  the  fall.     "  Basha's  kil ""  is  Dutch. 

J  The  fall  at  Walden  was  called  Hasdisch  by  the  Indians— a  term  in  which  "  dangerous  " 
is  expressed. 

§  The  explanation  of  the  origin  of  the  name  by  Eev.  James  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.  (Eager's 
Orange  County,  276),  is  fully  sustained  by  the  records  discovered  since  he  wrote. 

It  may  be  added,  that  although  now  written  Wallkill,  the  name  is  strictly  two  words, 
watte  and  kU.  In  this  work  the  local  orthography  has  been  followed  in  Wallkill.  Otterkill, 
etc.,  as  being  too  firmly  established  to  suffer  correction.  The  word  "  creek,"  applied  to 
a  stream  of  water,  is  quite  as  incorrect  as  "  kill;"  yet  Webster  admits  its  use  to  be  estab- 
lished "in  some  American  States.'' 


PONDS,  STREAMS,  ETC.  67 


are  the  Lonji^-house -Wavvayanda -Warwick  -  Pochuck  creek,  (Quaker 
creek,  Rut,n-ers'  creek,  Tiiiii  Brock,  McCorlin's  kill,  Muddy  kill,  and 
Dwaars  kill.  Loiuj-liouse  creel'  rises  in  New  Jersey  and  runs  north 
until  it  receives  the  outlet  of  Wickhain's  pond;  from  thence  it  forms 
the  Wawayanda  or  Worivick  creek,  and  flows  south-west  through  the 
villag'e  of  Warwick  into  New  Jersey,  where  it  becoines  Fochuck  creek, 
returns  to  the  county  and  unites  its  waters  with  th<^  Wallkill  in  the; 
drowned  lands.  The  names  which  it  bears  are  explained  in  other 
connections  with  tlu;  exception  of  "  Ijoiii^-house,"  the  Euro{)ean  title 
for  the  peculiar  dwellinf^s  which  the  Indians  occupied,  one  of  which 
stood  u|)on  its  !)auks.*  Quaker  creek  has  its  [)rincipal  head  in  Thomp- 
son's [Ktnd.  It  Hows  west;  lorms  the  boundary  line  best  ween  Goshen 
and  Warwick;  i-eeeives  several  small  tributary  streams,  and  unites 
with  the  VV^allkill  in  the  (Irowned  lauds.  Eulgers^  creek  has  its  ex- 
treme western  head  in  the  town  of  (Jreenville;  Hows  thence  south- 
easterly to  Watciloo  Mills,  in  Minnisiid<;  tlienc(Miorth-east to  Rutgers' 
Pl.'ice,  where  it  unites  with  its  northern  head.  Tiie  latter  rises  in 
Wallkill;  flows  thence  south  to  Millshnrgh,  receiving  in  its  course  the 
outlet  of  Binnenwater  pond  and  Binnenwater  swani|),  and  Boudiiiot's 
and  Tunkamoes  ("small  stream")  creeks,  in  Wawayanda  and  Minnis- 
ink.  From  Millsbnrgh  it  is  the  boundary  line  between  Wawayanda 
and  Minnisiidv.  It  enteis  the  Wallkill  at  Merritt's  island,  lis  name 
is  from  Anthony  Rutgers, f  one  of  the  proprietors  of  tlx'  Wawayanda. 
patent,  from  whom  also  llutgers'  Place  (the  residence  oi'  the  hite  Dr. 
M.  II.  dash,)  lakes  its  name.  Pxmdinot's  creek, |  its  largest  ailluent, 
flows  tlirough  (jreenville  to  tlie  sontii-east  corner  of  Mount  IIoi)e; 
thence  south-east  to  its  junction  in  Wawayanda.  j1foiih(u/eii  creek 
Hows  sunlii-eiisl  through  Middlelown  ;ind  enters  the  VV^illkill  norlii- 
east  from  New  Ibimplon.  It  is  now  the  source  fmni  whicli  Middle- 
town  is  supplied  with  w;iter.  Mc(!or/ui\^  kifi,  or  Mc  Near  i<  kill  ,^  rises 
in  (Crawford,  Hows  south,  passes  tlii-ough  Meelianictown  and  enters 
the  Wallkill  one  mile  and  a   inilf  above  Stony-ford   binlge.     JJwaavH 


*  ThoHo  dwellings  were  forniod  by  Ioiik,  slendc^r  hickory  sa|)lingH  set  in  tlut  frroiind  in  a 
•striiight  Line  of  two  rows,  as  far  asunder  an  they  intended  tlie  width  to  he,  and  eoiitin- 
ned  as  fai-  as  they  intended  the  len^^th  to  he.  The  ])oles  were  then  bent  forward  in  the 
form  of  an  arch  and  secured  to<,'ether,  giving  the  appearance  of  a  garden  arhor.  Sijlit 
poles  were  then  lashed  to  th<^  sides  and  roof,  and  over  thes(!  bark  was  jilaced.  Karely  ex- 
ceeding twenty  feet  in  width,  these  dwellings  were  sometimes  six  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
long,  and  were  occupied  by  an  inditiiiite  number  of  families. 

t  Tliere  is  not  tln^  slightest  foundation  lor  the  statement  (Eager  418)  that  Rutgers  "is 
an  English  <;orru])ti()n  of  llutkys,  the  Indian  name."  'J'he  latter  is  a  corruption  of  the 
former,  and  a  very  bald  one.     llutgers  was  nu^mber  t)f  the  Assembly  172G-"27. 

X  Mr.  Eager  enters  the  name  "  ISandegot."  It  now  appears  on  tlu^  maps  "  Indigot."  The 
correct  orthography  is  Boudinot,  from  P'Jias  Boudinot,  a  proprietor  of  the  Wawayanda  pat- 
ent.    Boudinot  would  not  have  deemed  it  possible  his  name  could  ho  so  transi)os(!d. 

§  Mr.  Eager  (346)  gives  the  name  "Mccormick's  kill,"  and  (354)  "McCorhn's  kill." 
The  latter  has  been  entered  on  the  maps  of  the  county.  We  are  informed  that  the  stream 
was  known,  years  ago,  as  "  McNeal's  kill,"  from  John  McNeal  who  had  a  grist  mill  on  it 
as  early  probably  as  1760.     McCorhn  is  a  mythical  person. 

05 


gg  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


Ml  has  its  rise  in  the  town  of  Wallkill,  flows  north-east  through 
Crawford,  and  enters  the  Wallkill  in  Ulster  county.  Its  name  is 
Dutch  (originally  Dwaars  stroom),  and  means  "a  stream  that  runs 
across  "  or  unites  "  with  another."  *  The  Tinn  Brock  was  called  by 
the  Indians  Arackhook,  or  Akhgook,  the  Algonquin  term  for  snake,  the 
reference  no  doubt  being  to  its  extremely  sinuous  course,  which  re- 
sembles the  contortions  of  a  snake  when  thrown  upon  a  fire.  Its 
present  name  is  from  the  Saxon  words  Thynne,  "  thin  or  small,"  and 
Broc,  "running  water  less  than  a  river" — a  small  brook.  It  rises  in 
New  Windsor,  south  of  Coldenham,  runs  north  and  west  and  enters 
the  Wallkill  half  a  mile  below  Walden.  Muddy  kill  (Dutch,  Modder 
kil — literally,  Muddy  kill,)  flows  from  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Com- 
fort hills  and  runs  south  to  the  Wallkill  above  Montgomery.  The 
mischievous  chorographer  now  writes  its  name  "  Mother  kill." 

The  Otterkill  rises  in  the  north  part  of  Chester,  and  passes  through 
the  East  Division  of  Goshen  into  Hamptonburgh,  where  it  was  called 
Denn  creek, f  from  Christopher  Denn,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Wa- 
wayanda  patent.  At  La  Grange  it  flows  upon  nearly  the  same  level 
with  the  Wallkill,  the  two  streams  being  within  a  mile  of  each  other 
at  this  point.  Through  Hamptonl)urgh  it  runs  around  the  base  of  the 
hills  in  the  form  of  a  half  circle;  thence  into  Blooming-Grove,  and  in  a 
serpentine  course  through  Washingtonville  to  Salisbury  Mills,  where, 
meeting  the  mountain  ledges,  it  passes  over  a  fall  into  a  deep  chasm 
which  it  follows  through  rocks  and  crags  and  continues  to  the  Hudson. 
Its  name  is  presumed  to  have  been  bestowed  from  the  otters  which 
were  found  in  it  at  the  early  settlement  of  the  county.  Its  largest 
tributaries  are:  Cromeline  creek.  Goldsmith  creek,  Colemantown  creek, 
Beaver-dam  creek,  Schunemunk  creek,  Woodbury  creek,  and  Canter- 
bury brook.  Cromtiine  creek  receives  its  principal  head  waters  from 
Little  Long  pond  No.  2,  in  Monroe;  flows  thence  through  Chester  and 
the  western  part  of  Blooming-Grove  to  its  junction  with  the  Otterkill 
in  the  north-west  part  of  the  latter  town.  Schunemunk  creek  rises  in 
the  south-east  part  of  Blooming-Grove;  flows  north-west  and  north- 
east around  the  hills,  and  joins  the  Otterkill  above  Washingtonville. 
On  sonu^  maps  it  is  called  Satterly's  creek.  Woodbury  creek  has 
its  principal  h(>a(l  in  Hazzard's  pond,  in  Monroe.  It  receives  the 
outlet  of  Sutherland's  pond;  flows  north-east  through  Woodbury  clove, 
and  enters  the  Otterkill  at  Orr's  Mills,  in  Cornwall.     Canterbury  brook 


*  "  The  Dwaars  stroom  unites  with  or  flows  across  the  Wallkill ;  hence  the  name  indi- 
cates that  fact  or  circumstance,  and  becomes  the  characteristic  of  the  river."— Dr.  E.  B. 
O'Callaghan.  The  tradition  given  by  Eager  (334),  that  the  name  is  from  an  Indian  chief, 
has  no  other  foundation  than  the  possibility  that  there  was  an  Indian  nicknamed  Dwass. 

tThc  following  from  the  Mapes'  deed  (1727)  estabhshed  the  earlv  use  of  both  titles: 
"Lymg  on  the  west  side  of  the  Otterkill,  known  as  the  Dennekill."  '  The  latter  may  well 
be  preserved  as  a  memorial  of  the  first  settler  on  the  Wawayanda  patent. 


PONDS,  STREAMS,  ETC.  69 


rises  in  the  Cornwall  Highlands;  flows  north-east  through  the  village 
of  Canterbury,  and  enters  the  Otterkill  (under  the  name  of  Idlewild 
brook,)  near  the  Hudson.  Goldsmith  creek  rises  in  Little  Britain  and 
runs  south  to  the  Otterkill  above  Washingtonville;  Col  em  an  town  creek 
also  flows  south  and  enters  above  the  same  place.  Beaver-dam  creek 
rises  in  Montgomery,  and  passes  south  througli  low  meadows  from 
near  Goodwill  church  to  its  junction  at  Campbell  Hall.  Its  head 
water  is  a  spring  of  several  yards  in  diameter  and  of  unknown 
depth;  its  name  is  from  an  old  beaver  dam*  near  Campbell  Hall. 
From  its  junction  with  Cromeline  creek  east  to  the  Hudson,  the  Otter- 
kill looses  its  name  and  is  called  Murderer^s  creek  and  the  Moodna, 
the  latter  a  Willisian  designation.  To  the  early  Dutch  traders  it  was 
known  as  the  "  Waoraneck;"  subsequently,  as  the  "  Martelaer's  rack 
creek;"  after  1656,  as  "the  Murderer's  creek."  It  is  assumed  by  some 
writers  that  the  latter  was  derived  from  its  immediately  preceding 
title,  signifying  a  baffling,  struggling  reach  or  course  in  the  navi- 
gation of  the  Hudson,  bounded  on  the  north  by  this  creek  and  on  the 
south  by  Martelaer's  rock,  opposite  West  Point;  by  others,  that  it  was 
bestowed  as  a  memorial  of  some  act  of  hostility  by  the  Waoranecks 
during  the  early  Indian  wars;  but  superior,  in  local  estimation,  to 
philology  fir  probal)ility,  is  the  explanation  given  by  Paulding  in  his* 
beautiful  tradition  of  Naoman,  his  faitlifulness  and  his  fate,  pointing 
unwaveringly  to  Maringonian  as  the  author  of  a  horrid  massacre. f 

Qii ai<,Ha irk  creek  \H  composed  of  the  outlet  of  Orange  lake  and  of 
the  Fostertown  and  Tent  Stone  Meadow  creeks.  It  Hows  south- 
easterly through  the  western  part  of  the  town  of  Newburgh  and 
forms  the  boundary  line  between  the  city  of  Newburgh  and  the  town 
of  New  Windsor.  Its  name  (Quassaick)  signifies  stony  brook.  Its 
water  power  is  very  durable  and  is  largely  employed.  Fodertoion 
creek  rises  in  Ulster  county,  and  flows  southerly  through  the  central 
part  of  the  town  of  Newburgh.  It  is  called  Fostertown  creek  until 
it  reaches  Gidneytown,  when  it  takes  the  latter  name.  Tent  Stone 
Meadow  creek  rises  in  a  large  swamp  in  Ulster  county,  known  many 
■years  ago  as  the  Tent  Stone  Meadow.  It  flows  southerly  and  empties 
into  the  Quassaick  at  the  Powder  Mills.  Bfishfield  creek,  one  of  the 
feeders  of  Orange  lake,  and  necessarily  of  Quassaick  creek,  rises  in 


*  From  the  remains  of  the  flams  which  they  constructed,  the  streams  of  the  county 
apparently  abounded  in  beavers  at  the  time  of  the  discovery,  though  now  extinct. 

t  "  In  ancient  Dutch  days  it  was  Ivnown  as  The  Martelaer's  Back,  or  Martyr's  Reach. 
The  Dutch  navigators  divided  the  river  into  reaches,  to  which  they  gave  descriptive 
names.  They  found  here  (West  Point)  a  rocky  point  nearly  at  right  angles  with  the 
current,  and,  when  sailing  with  a  fair  west  wind,  encountered,  on  passing  it,  the  wind 
"  dead  ahead,''  compelling  them  to  beat  or  struggle  with  it.  Hence  the  name  Martelaer, 
signifying  contending  or  struggling.  The  tradition  which  converts  the  name  into  a  memo- 
rial of  deeds  of  violence,  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  is  entirely  worthless." — J.  J.  MoneWs 
Hand-book. 


70  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


a  swamp  in  Ulster  county,  known  as  the  Stone  Dam  Meadow.  Its 
orig^iiial  name  was  Beaver-dam  creek. 

The  Ramapo  river  has  its  head  in  Round-island  pond  in  Monroe,  and 
flows  thence  southerly  through  Ramapo  valley  into  Rockland  county. 
Tt  receives  the  outlets  of  thirteen  of  th(>  mountain  ponds  already 
named:  Round-island,  Sunnnit,  Slaughter's,  Cranberry  No.  2,  Green- 
wood, Round,  liittle  long,  Cedar,  Green,  Car,  Spruce,  Truxedo,  and 
Nigger.  It  enters  the  Passaic  river  near  romi)ton  })]uins,  N.  J. 
There  is  no  stream   in   the  world   like   it. 

Poplopen\'<  creek  is  composed  of  tlie  outlets  of  Poplopen's,  Round 
No.  1,  Long,  Hull,  Cranberry  No.  1,  and  Two  pontls.  Its  course  is 
south-east  to  tlie  Hudson.  QHeeyishorougli  hronk  and  Sicl'hosfcn'x  hill 
(now  i-allcd  Stony  brook)  are  its  tributaries. 

The  tril)Mtari(>s  of  the  Hudson,  aside  from  those  already  named,  are 
small  streams  principally  in  Newl)urgh.  The  NemrHiiik  and  the 
Shingle  kill  tlow  into  the  Delaware  in  Dt'erpark — the  former  at  Car- 
penter's point,*  and  the  latter  at  Honesville.  Grassy-swamp  brook,  in 
the  same  town,  unites  with  the  Mongaup;  the  latter  unites  with  the 
Delawart!  about  six  miles  northerly  from  Carpenter's  point.  The 
LiUle  Shawangank  kill,  and  the  liig  and  LiUle  Pakadasink  are  tributa- 
•ries  of  the  Shawangunk.  One  branch  of  the  former  rises  half  a  mile 
easterly  from  the  village  of  A[ount  Ho])e,  and  is  met,  about  a  mile  east 
from  that  village,  by  a  branch  from  the  town  of  Wallkill;  tlows  thence 
through  tlie  town  north-easterly  until  it  strikes  the  line  of  the  town  of 
Wallkill;  thence  north-west  to  its  junction  with  the  Shawanguidv  in 
the  latter  town.  \i  was  originally  known  as  the  "Little  Pakada- 
sink," as  has  been  already  stated.  The  present  Big  Pakadasink  and 
Little  Pakadasink  are  in  the  town  of  Crawford,  and  flow  north  to  the 
Shawangunk.  Li  the  Crawford  dialect  they  are  called  the  Big  and 
the  Little  "  Paugh-caugh-naugh-sing,"  the  most  prolix  orthograjthy  of 
the  original  name  on  nn-ord. 

The  islands  of  th(>  Hudson  lying  opposite  the  lines  of  the  county 
are:  Poleher's,  now  called  I'lillopel's;  Afartelaer's  rock,  now  Constitu- 
tion, and  3raiiah.(iiraghkiii,  now  called  lona.  Though  not  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  comily,  llieir  position  in  its  waterscaiie  entitles 
them  to  rticognition  in  its  topogiiiphy. 

ei.lMATK. 

Newbnrgh  is  in  41  (leg.  80  niin.  iiortii  latitude,  and  is  elevated  150 
leel  aliove  tide-water.  I'^'oni  oliservatioiis  made  for  thirteen  succes- 
sive years,  the  mean   temperature  has   been   found   to  l)e    50   deg.  10 


*  A  point  of  land  mado  by  the  junction  of  the  Neversinlc  and  tlio  Delaware  rivers,  just 
south  of  PortJiTvis.  The  Tri-States  Koc-k,  marking  the  boundarv  between  New  York, 
New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania,  is  on  this  point. 


CLIMA  TE-  GEOL  0  G  Y.  71 


mill,  rjoslicii,  situated  in  liitiliulc  41  dcg'.  20  iiiiii.,  uiid  elevated  425 
feet  above  tide-water,  oliserviitioiis  made  lur  ei,t;"lit  years  show  a  mean 
tem|)eratnre  of  49  <lejj,'.  1(5  iiiin.  Dillerence  l)etvve<'n  Ne\vl)iir<:,li  iind 
(loslien,  *.)4  minutes.  At  Newl)nru;'li  the  period  between  IVosts,  thoiin'ii 
Viiriidde,  has  been  known  to  be  troin  the  5th  of  May  to  the  2IMh  of 
September — 140  (lays.  At  (Josheii  frosts  h;i\'e  been  noticed  as  late 
as  the  1st  of  Jiifie,  and  ;is  early  as  the  20tii  of  September-Ill  days. 
Diiference  between  periods  of  frost,  85  days.  At  Newbiirg'h  the 
sinulbnsh  liloomed  April  24tii,  the  |)eac]i  vVpril  23<1,  the  |)liim  May  1st, 
tile  cherry  April  27th,  the  iijiple  May  Gtli;  stravvdierries  ripened  June 
loth;  liayiii<j,'  coiiiiiienced  .Inly  4tli;  wheat  harvest  commenced  -Inly 
17th;  tlie  first  killing-  frost  Septemlier  29tli,  At  (josheii  the  shadbush 
bloomed  April  27th,  the  peach  April  28th,  the  plum  May  4th,  the  cherry 
April  29tli,  and  the  ;ip|>le  May  9tli;  haying  commenced  .July  8th;  the 
wheat  harvest  July  21st;  the  tirst  killing  frost  September  20th.  The 
observations  made  at  Newburg-li  show  the  temperature  of  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county;  while  those  made  at  Goshen  may  be  ap|)lied  to 
the  central.  On  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Shawang-unk  range,  re})re- 
senting-  the  western  part  of  the  county,  the  teinperatui'C!  is  from  two 
to  four  degrees  less  than  at  Ncwburgh;  at  the  top  of  the  range  full 
five  degrees  less. 

The  temperature  of  the  eastern  and  southern  portions  of  the  county 
is  affected  in  some  degree  by  the  shelter  afforded  in  the  mountain 
riinges;  the  former  also  by  the  tides  of  the  Hudson.  The  Highlands, 
for  many  years  exempt  from  taxation  by  reason  of  their  unfitness  for 
cultivation,  are  an  incalculable  advantage  to  Ncwburgh,  New  Wind- 
sor and  Cornwall;  they  effectually  break  the  force  of  all  winds  save 
from  the  east-north-east.  Thousands  of  invalids  rnaj"^  be  found  in  those 
towns,  as  permanent  residents  or  as  boarders,  brought  thither  by  this 
peculiarity  in  situation.  The  poet  N.  P.  Willis,  from  his  experience 
of  twenty  years  as  a  consumptive,  found  no  language  too  strong  in 
which  to  commend  the  hygienic  virtues  of  the  Highlands.  The  entire 
mountain  system  of  the  county  has  more  or  less  effect  on  its  climate. 
In  the  economy  of  nature,  currents  of  air  gather  around  the  ranges; 
are  forced  upward  to  a  lower  temperature,  and  precipitation  ensues, 
while  the  atmospheric  condensation  produces  a  local  heat  beyond  the 
natural  temperature.  For  this  reason  most  of  the  chwes  are  more 
temperate  than  their  elevation  and  latitude  would  otherwise  warrant; 
those  opening  toward  the  south  especially  so. 


GKOLOGY,  ETC 


* 


Probably  no  county  in  the  state  presents  more  interesting  geological 
features  than  Orange.    The  rocks  of  the  Highlands  are  granite,  gneiss 
■*  Horton's  and  Mather's  Surveys  consulted. 


72  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

and  sienite,  with  veins  i»f  trap.  Tlic  central  portions  of  the  county 
are  occupied  with  strata  of  Ilauiilton  shales,  Helderberg  limestones 
and  g-rit,  Medina  sandstone,  and  the  gray  sandstones,  all  extending- 
from  tlie  north-east  to  the  south-west,  from  the  east  foot  of  the  Sha- 
wangunk  mountains.  The  rocks  which  compose  the  Shawangunk 
mountains  are  the  shales  and  the  sandstones  of  the  Chemung  g-roup. 
The  red  shales  and  grits  of  the  Catskill  g-roup  are  seen  at  the  falls  of 
the  Shingle  kill  in  Deerpark.  The  Erie  division  are  found  from  the 
Delaware  river,  along  the  west  side  of  Mamakating  hollow.  Some  of 
the  rocks  of  this  division,  near  Port  Jervis,  are  upturned  at  a  high 
angle;  others,  toward  Cuddebackville  and  Ellenville,  are  more  indu- 
rated and  seem  almost  trappean.  The  geological  series  descend 
south-west  to  the  primary  rocks  of  the  Pochuck  mountains.  The 
Helderberg  division  extends  through  the  county,  on  the  Mamakating 
valley,  by  CuddebackvilU'  to  Carpenter's  point  on  the  Delaware. — 
The  limestones  of  this  division  are  all  uitturned,  often  at  a  xevy  high 
angle,  in  the  town  oi'  Deerpark,  where  they  form  a  range  of  low 
mountains,  rising  from  the  level  of  the  Neversink  to  half  the  eleva- 
tion of  the  Shawangunk.  A  limestone,  containing  fossils  of  this 
division,  is  also  found  in  the  town  of  Cornwall,  between  the  village 
of  Canterbury  and  Salisbury  Mills.  Its  position  is  between  the  slate 
and  grit  rock;  its  dip  is  to  the  south-east. 

The  Shawangunk  grit  of  the  Ontario  division  extends  on  the  top  of 
the  Shawangunk  mountains  from  New  Jersey  to  near  Kingston.  The 
thickness  of  these  grits  vary  from  sixty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet. 
They  have  been  used  as  millstones,  known  as  "  Esopus  millstones."  * 
A  pyritous  grit,  in  the  form  of  boulders,  is  scattered  over  the  county. 
Rocks  similar  in  character  to  the  Shawangunk  grit,  and  the  interstra- 
tified  and  overlaying  red  rocks,  extend  from  the  Jersey  line  on  the  west 
side  of  Greenwood  lake  north-east  to  Canterbury  in  Cornwall.  They 
are  also  found  at  Pine  hill.  This  hill  is  primitive,  and  here  the  grit 
rock  inclines  against  it  and  rests  upon  it.  The  grit  rock  is  reg'ularly 
stratified,  and  dips  to  the  south-east;  is  of  all  colors  from  white  to 
red.  It  extends  from  Round  hill  four  miles,  to  Woodcock  moun- 
tain. It  is  also  found  in  the  south-east  base  of  Schunemunk,  inter- 
stratified  with  graywacke  and  slate;  also  at  Pine  hill.  Here  the  rock 
is  red,  and  can  be  cpiarried  in  blocks  suitable  for  building.  The  Bell- 
vale  mountains,  in  Warwick,  on  the  south-east  side,  are  composed  of 
graywacke;  also  the  Schunemunk  in  Blooming-Grove,  the  Goose  pond 
mountain  and  the  Sugar-loaf.  Quarries  of  blue  and  red  stone  abound 
in  Schunemunk  and  Pine  hill. 


*  Tlicso  millstones  were  the  first  that  were  quarried  in  the  province,  and  were  regarded 
as  superior  to  those  imported  from  EiU'ope. 


OEOLOGY-^ROCKS.  73 


In  the  Cliarnplaiii  division  is  the  "  Hndson  river  series — slate 
group" — whicli  consists  of  slates,  shales,  grits,  limestones,  breccias, 
and  conglomerates — sometimes  designated  as  graywacke  slate,  gray- 
wacke  shale,  graywacke,  and  slaty  graywacke.  They  contain  facets 
and  testacea,  of  which  a  few  are  seen  at  the  falls  (jf  the  Walikill  near 
Walden,  at  Orange  lake,  and  at  Sugar-loaf.  The  Hnds(Mi  river  group 
of  rocks  occupy  a  large  extent  of  the  surface  of  the  county.  Its 
general  direction  is  north-east  and  south-west.  Its  dip  is  uniform  to 
the  south-east,  in  some  places  30  degrees,  in  others  nearly  vertical. 
It  extends  from  the  Hudson  river  through  Warwick  to  the  Jersey  line, 
and  on  the  west  side  of  the  Walikill,  from  New  Jersey  to  Ulster 
county;  and  in  all  this  range  there  is  no  rock  resting  upon  it.  It 
forms  the  bank  (»f  the  Hudscjii  river  from  Cornwall  Landing  to  four 
miles  above  Newburgli,  and  it  is  always  seen  stratified  with  gray- 
wacke and  graywacke  slate.  In  this  form  it  is  found  at  Walden, 
below  Montgomery,  in  Mount  Hope,  at  Newburgli  and  toward  Hamp- 
ton. In  the  town  of  Warwick,  near  the  Jersey  line,  it  forms  a  cunei- 
form termination,  the  limestone  surrounding  it  on  both  sides.  From 
this  the  argillite  widens  into  an  elevated  ridge  of  rich  land,  called 
Long  Ridge,  which  extends  into  Goshen.  It  forms  the  surface  rock 
of  most  of  Goshen,  Blooming-Grove,  parts  of  Cornwall,  New  Windsor, 
Newburgh,  Montgomery,  Hamptonburgh,  Crawford,  Walikill,  and  in 
Mount  Hope  and  Minnisink,  quite  to  the  top  of  the  Shawangunk 
mountains.  The  Utica  slate  is  found  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson 
above  Newburgh.  It  is  of  dark  color,  and  in  some  places  black,  and 
highly  carbonaceous. 

The  Trenton  limestone  is  found  near  Mount  Lookout;  also  in  the 
town  of  Hamptonburgh,  where  it  is  full  of  the  fossil  shells  of  the  very 
early  periods  of  animal  life.  In  that  neighborhood  it  is  called  the 
"  Neelytown  limestone."  Black  river  limestone  is  found  a  few  miles 
from  Goshen,  Mount  Lookout  being  entirely  composed  of  it.  It  is  also 
found  on  Big  island  in  the  drowned  lands,  on  Pochuck  neck,  and  in 
Minnisink  west  of  the  drowned  lands.  A  blue  limestone,  sometimes 
sparry  and  checkered,  commences  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson  at 
Hampton;  it  is  about  one  mile  in  width  north-west  and  south-east, 
and  passes  south-westerly  through  Newburgh  into  New  Windsor, 
disappearing  in  the  vicinity  of  Washington  lake.  The  elevated  point 
of  this  rock  at  Hampton  is  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Dans  Kammer.  It  is 
also  found  east  of  Salisbury  Mills  in  Cornwall,  and  is  visible  through 
Blooming-Grove  and  Warwick  to  the  state  line;  also  in  the  north  part 
of  Monroe  north  of  Greenwood  furnace,  and  extends  south-west  to 
near  Greenwood  lake;  also  in  Cornwall  near  Ketcham's  mill,  and  in 
Goshen  two  and  a  half  miles  from  the   village,  extending  from  the 


74  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

Wallkill  south-west  to  Glennunc.  The  western  edge  of  this  bed  uii- 
derhiys  the  diowned  hinds,  and  passes  ak)ng:  the  north-western  margin 
(.t  the  \vliit<'  limestone  of  Warwick;  liere  it  divides  into  two  branches 
on  each  side  of  the  primitive  rock,  and  passes  into  New  Jersey.  This 
limestone  also  interlocks  with  the  argillite  ridg-es,  as  at  near  Goshen. 
Limestone  of  the  oolitic  character  is  found  on  Big  island,  near  New 
Milford,  and  on  Pochuck  neck.  The  edges  of  that  found  in  some  oi' 
tile  perpendicular  clitfs  at  the  latter  place  are  exposed  in  layers  one 
above  the  othei;  some  are  of  tiie  usual  ciiaracter;  otiu'rs  are  oolitic, 
but  the  round  granules  are  bluish  white  quartz;  others  slaty,  approach- 
ing the  calciferous  state,  and  others  are  of  a  ribbon-like  appearance. 

Below  the  New  York  transition  system  lies  the  "  Taconic  system," 
(M)nsisting  of  slates,    limestones,   and   granular  quartz   rocks.     Slate 
rocks  of  this  system  are  found  four  miles  north  of  NewbTirgh,  near  a 
small  hill  of  granitt'  rock.     Tlie  limestone  between  the  Highlands  and 
(Joose  pond  mountain,  and  also  about  Bellvale,  belong  to  this  system. 
Metamori)hic   rocks  consist  of  limestoni's   that  are  granular,  dolomi- 
tized,   and  stratilied,   color   white,   blue,   and   red;  of  slates  that  are 
talcose,  argillaceous,  micaceous,  and  hornblende;   and  of  sandstones 
that   are   changed   to  granular   (puirtz   rocks,  eurite,  and  gneiss.     In 
their  several  deposits  all  the  changes   from  the  gray   and    blue   lime- 
stone  are  traced  into  the  perfect  cr3\stallized  limestone,  containing 
the  various  crystallized  minerals,  which  give  them  their  metamorphic 
character.     There  is  a  white  limestone  of  this   variety  ranging  from 
mounts  Adam  and  Eve  in  Warwick,  to  Andover  in  New  Jersey.     It 
is  developed  in  a  sxiccession  of  narrow  ridges  of  only  a  few  rods  in 
width,  and  is  separated  by  masses  of  other  rocks,  of  granite,  sienite, 
and  granular  quartz.     Hornblende  rock  and  augite  are  scattered  all 
around.     This  white  limestone  is  rarely  stratified,  and  in  some  places 
runs  into  the  blue  and  gray  limestone,  which  is  fossiliferous  in  some 
instances  and  oolitic  in  others.     The  white  limestone  forms  the  shore 
of  the  drowned  lands  at  Amity.     In  some  localities  it  is  snow  white, 
translucent,  and  compact,  like  Parian  marble.     Plumbago  and  mica 
are  found  in  it,  and  also  a  great  variety  of  minerals.     North-east  of 
the  Amity  church,  on  a  small  knoll,  are  ibund  calcareous  spar,  rhomb 
spar,  yellow  hrucite,  xanthite,  talc,  black  and  ruby  spinelle,  cocolite. 
About  one  mih"  south-west  of  Amity  is  specular  iron  ore  and  serpen- 
tine; veins  of  scapolite  are  found  south-west  of  this  place,  and  about 
a  mile  north   tiie   limestone   is  lillod    with   brucite  of  various   colors, 
magnetic   oxide  of  iron,  hornblende,   and  serpentine.     At  the   south 
base  of  Mount  Eve,  in  an  old  mine  hole,  tine  crystals  of  green  and 
l)rown  hornblende  are  found.     At  another  place  is  a  vein  of  arsenical 
iron.     Tiie  sami'  kind  of  limestone  is  found  near  Fort  Montgomery,  in 


GEOL  0  G  Y—MINERAM.  75 


the  Hij«;liliiiids  (in  the  g'orgc  through  which  the  creek  passes  into  the 
Hudson),  at  or  near  P^jrest  of  Dean;  thence  it  is  traced  by  way  of 
Litth'  Round  pond  toward  Greenwood  furnace,  and  across  tlu^  Rarnapo. 
It  is  also  seen  soutli-west  of  (^iieensboroug-h  furnace,  in  limited  extent. 
These  beds  also  contain  the  minerals  above  named. 

I'lie  primary  rocks  of  the  county  consist  of  g-neiss  and  hornblende 
granite,  sienite,  limestone,  serpentine,  aug'ite,  and  trappean.  Among- 
these  rocks  there  are  no  continuous  ridges  of  mountains  oi"  more  than 
a  few  miles  in  length,  in  consequence  of  the  interruptions  caused  by 
the  dislocations  and  the  lateral  upheavals  of  masses  of  the  strata. 
Ridge  succeeds  ridge,  each  of  wliich  runs  out  and  diminishes  until 
it  disappears  below  the  rocks  of  a  more  recent  origin. 

The  })rimitive  rocks  extend  from  Butter  hill  to  Fort  Montgomery, 
thence  along  the  line  of  the  county  to  New  Jersey,  thence  to  Pochuck 
mountain,  embracing  a  large  part  of  the  towns  of  Warwick,  Monroe, 
Highlands,  and  Cornwall;  part  of  New  Windsor,  Newburgh,  Bloom- 
ing-(irrove,  and  the  south  part  of  Ooshen.  Woodcock  mountain, 
Round  hill,  Pedler  hill,  Goose-pond  mountain,  Sugar-loaf,  and  Sugar- 
loaf  mate.  Brimstone  hill,  Muchattoes  hill.  Mount  Adam,  Mount  Eve, 
and  Pochuck  moimtain,  are  composed  of  this  series. 

Granite  is  found  at  the  foot  of  Butter  hill  suitable  for  quarrying. 
Sienite  at  West  Point,  on  the  east  side  of  Bear  mountain,  and  at  the 
base  of  Butter  hill.  Gneiss  abounds  in  all  the  Highlands,  and  has 
been  quarried  at  Butter  hill,  Cro'-nest,  West  Point,  Buttermilk  Falls, 
and  between  that  and  Fort  Montgomery.  Mica  slate,  or  micaceous 
gneiss,  is  found  one  mile  north  of  Fort  Montgomery,  and  at  the  foot 
of  Cro'-nest.  Augite  rock  is  found  between  West  Point  and  Round 
pond;  also  in  Monroe,  south  of  Cedar  pond;  near  Slaughter's  pond, 
Green  pond,  and  Mombasha  pond,  and  near  the  O'Neil,  Forshee, 
Clove,  Rich  and  Forest  of  Dean  mines.  Greenstone  trap  is  found 
near  Truxedo  pond.  Granular  greenstone  is  found  at  Cro'-nest  and 
at  Butter  hill.  Hornblende  rock  ig  found  in  large  strata,  and  quartz 
rock  is  in  every  hill  and  mountain  of  the  Highlands.  In  the  town 
of  Monroe  is  a  bed  of  the  latter  four  rods  wide  rising  fifteen  feet 
above  the  gneiss  on  each  side.  Serpentine  is  found  at  the  O'Neil 
and  at  the  Fijrshee  mine,  and  there  is  a  large  bed  of  it  in  the 
town  of  Warwick.  Crystallized  serpentine  is  also  found  in  Warwick 
in  the  white  limestone.  Scapolite  is  found  at  Amity;  also,  blende  of 
minute,  red,  brilliant  prisms,  with  adamantine  lustre.  Yellow  garnet 
is  found  at  Edenville.  A  species  u{  soapston(;  is  found  at  the  Clove 
mine  in  Monroe;  magnetic  pyrites,  mica,  and  hornblende,  at  the  Rich 
iron  mine.  Large  sheets  of  mica  are  found  south-west  of  the  Forshee 
rnine.     In  the  latter  mine  is  found  beautifid  red  garnet,  brown  tremo- 


76  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

line,  cocolitc,  and  nuibcr.  The  O'Neil  mine  abounds  with  a  great 
variety  oi'  bcuiUif'ul  minerals,  among  which  are  crystallized  magnetic 
ore  of  great  brilliancy  and  beauty,  magnetic  pyrites,  copper  pyrites, 
carbonate  of  cojiper,  sei'pentine,  amiantlius,  asbestos,  brown  spar, 
rhombic  spar,  angite,  cocolite,  feKlspar,  and  mica. 

West  of  the  village  of  Canterbury  is  a  bed  of  hematite  ore,  cm  the  late 
Townsend  farm.  Two  beds  of  arsenical  iron  are  found  in  Warwick: 
one  in  a  vein  near  Mount  Adam,  and  the  other  near  Edenville.  The 
latter  contains  arsenical  pyrites  of  a  white  silver  color,  in  connection 
with  arsenic,  sulphur,  and  iron;  also  red  oxide  of  iron.  This  vein  is 
connected  with  the  white  limestone.  An  ore  of  titanium  is  also  found 
in  Warwick,  associated  witii  augite  and  scapolite.  An  ore  of  cerium 
occurs  near  Fort  Montgomery. 

The  primitive  rocks  of  the  Highlands  abound  in  ore  of  the  magnetic 
oxide  oi'  iron.  The  granite  gneiss  more  generally  contain  it  in  layers 
liaving  the  lines  and  bearing  of  the  rock.  At  West  Point  the  on>  is 
associated  with  hornblende.  Meek's  mine,  Kronkite's  mine.  Round 
Pond  mine,  P\)rest  of  Dean  mine.  Long  mine,  Patterson  mine,  Moun- 
tain mine  and  a  group  of  mines  around  it,  and  Crossway  mine,  all 
abound  in  this  ore,  of  rich  quality.  A  bed  of  titaniferous  iron  ore  is 
located  on  the  east  side  of  Bear  hill ;  magnetic  ore  at  the  lower  land- 
ing at  Fort  Montgomery,  mixed  with  the  sulphuret  of  iron;  also  at  the 
place  called  Queensborough  ore  bed,  within  a  mile  or  two  of  Queens- 
borough  furnace.  In  several  localities  of  the  Shawangunk  grits  are 
found  veins  of  lead.  Beds  of  lead  ore  have  been  opened  at  Edenville, 
and  also  in  the  towns  of  Deerpark  and  Mount  Hope.*  Zinc  ore  has 
also  been  found,  exceeding  in  (piality  the  lead.  A  copper  mine  was 
opened  near  Otisville  in  1866,  and  worked  for  about  a  year,  show- 
ing good  ore  but  in  small  quantities. 

The  mines  which  have  been  opened  in  the  beds  described,  and  some 
of  which  have  been  named  in  other  connections,  are:  The  Sterling- 
mine,  in  Monroe,  opened  in  1781.t  Its  ore  is  very  sound  and  strong, 
and  has  been  much  used  for  cannon.  Part  of  its  ore  is  bare,  and  part 
of  it  slightly  ccjvered  with  soil  and  rocks.  It  embraces  a  suri'ace  of 
about  thirty  acres.  One  and  a  half  miles  south-west  of  the  Sterling- 
is  the  Belcher  mine,  supposed  to  be  a  pi-olongation  of  the  Sterling 
mine.     Long  mine  and  Red  mine  are  further  south;  the  ores  of  the 


*  The  principal  lead  mines  that  have  been  opened  are  in  Mount  Hope  and  Deerpark. 
They  are  known  as  the  Erie,  at  Guyniard;  the  Wallkill,  two  and  a  half  miles  north-oast 
of  Gnyniard;  the  Champion,  Washington,  Mammoth,  Mount  Hope  and  Central.  Of 
these  but  two,  the  Erie  and  the  Wallkill,  have  over  been  extensively  worked.  The  lead 
of  the  Erie  mine  is  argentiferous,  and  at  times  the  yield  of  silver  pays  running  expenses, 
leaving  the  lead  a  clear  profit.     The  works  are  within  a  few  rods  of  the  Erie  railroad. 

t  The  Sterling  Iron-works  wore  estabhshed  in  1751.  This  mine  was  discovered  in  1780 
and  opened  in  1781.  The  works  are  now  connected  with  the  Erie  road  by  a  branch  from 
Sterling  Junction. 


OEOL  0  G  Y~  MINES. 


77 


latter  are  mag-netic  and  full  of  pyrites.     East  of  Sterling-  pond  is  the 
Mountain  mine,  the  Crossvvay  mine,  and  the  Patterson  mine.     About 


Mountain 


//  #  ..iiri^ 


Pqiterson 
Miue 


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.<m\im\\\\\\\\\\ii,,''^ 

#VA\llJI.7//A„iniililili////..,'^"""' 


^^^^^l||j|,\\N^\\Wlli;/////^,:'-''''''"'V 


^miiii^^ 


a  mile  south  of  the  village  of  Monroe  is  the  Clove  mine,  the  ore  of 
whicli  is  magnetic,  granular,  and  compact;  a  portion  of  it  soft,  in  a 
black  powder,  and  can  be  taken  out  with  a  sliovel.  South-east  of  the 
Clove  is  the  O'Neil  mine,  in  the  midst  of  granitic  gneiss  and  sienite. 
Half  a  mile  south-west  of  this  is  the  Forshee  mine,  permeating  the 
whole  hill  upon  which  it  is  located.  About  five  miles  south-east  of 
Monroe  is  the  Rich  mine,  the  ore  of  which  is  strongly  magnetic,  rich, 
and  abundant.  The  Smith  mine  is  between  Cro'-nest  and  Butter  hill; 
its  ore  is  a  native  magnet;  it  has  not  been  worked  of  late  years.  The 
Townsend  mine  of  hematite  ore  is  in  Cornwall,  about  two  miles  and  a 
half  west  from  Canterbury.  Its  ore  is  lean  but  makes  excellent  iron. 
It  is  mostly  in  powder  or  small  fragments,  mixed  with  balls  of  the 
hematite  of  a  few  pounds  weight.  Forest  of  Dean  mine  was  open- 
ed as  early  probably  as  1761.  It  lies  west  from  Fort  Montgomery. 
The  Queensborough*  mine  lies  south  from  Forest  of  Dean;  it  has  not 
been  worked  to  any  extent.  Greenwood  mine,  in  Monroe,  lies  north 
of  the  Erie  road.     Its  yield  is  consumed  by  Greenwood  furnace. 

Traditions  of  lead,  tin,  silver,  and  even  gold  mines,  in  the  High- 
lands, ai'e  quite  prevalent,  while  on  the  Schunemunk   range   and  in 


*  Queensborough  mine  takes  its  name  from  a  tract  of  1437  acres  granted  to  Gabriel  and 
William  Ludlow,  Oct.  18,  1731,  and  to  which  they  gave  the  name.  The  name  is  now  fre- 
quently but  wrongly  written  Queen8?J«ry/,— the  suffix  should  be  bot'ough,  signifying  in 
its  application,  Queen's  hill. 


7S  GENERAL  IIISTOHY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

otluM-  |)l;ic('s  tlic  carl'oiKicrdUs  slates  lia\("  lu'cii  |»r('tt_v  tli(>i(Ui,<;lily  cx- 
amiiifd  IVoiii  prcsiinicd  iiulicatioiis  ol'  \('iiis  ol'  coal.  'Plic  early  Euro- 
ueaii  adveiilui-ers  e\  ideiitly  made  a  very  ediiiplete  exaiiiiiialioii  of  the 
entire  dislriel  in  the  impe  <•!'  strikin<;-  tlie  preeions  ores.  Some  mag-- 
nilii't'nl  ina,<;-netie  j)yriles,  however,  was  their  only  ri'ward,  as  it  has 
been  ol"  e(|naliy  san^'nine  Init   inoic   recent    seareliers. 

'Hie  soils  of  the  county  vaiy  with  the  <j,'(>oloj;-it-al  features  of  the 
ditVerent  secti(Uis.  The  district  known  as  the  i)rimai-y,  in  most  o\'  its 
hiii'her  tdexations,  is  not  susceptilde  of  cidtivation,  owini;-  to  the  rou>;'h 
and  luoken  state  of  the  surface  and  the  naked  character  of  the  rotdcs. 
At  the  base  of  the  lli.^hlamls  are  out-cropiuni;-  hills,  and  tiie  surface, 
thouj;"h  broken,  is  jirtiductive  and  in  many  instance's  presents  l>eanti- 
ful  farms.  In  the  district  of  the  Hudson  system  of  slates  and  lime- 
stones, thouii'li  irre<i,'idar  and  bi'oken,  its  slaty  or  shaly  Innls  and 
sandstone  and  limestone  I'ov'ks  furnish  a  soil  favorable  to  the  j^-rowtii 
of  >;-rain  and  g'rass.  Above  thi'  llig'hlands  this  district  divei-<;-es  from 
the  river  to  the  south-west  (|uite  into  the  state  of  New  dersey.  No 
part  rises  into  mountains,  yet  there  are  steep  blulVs,  but  not  hig-her 
than  three  hundretl  feet.  West  of  this  lies  the  l>elt  of  land  to  the 
Shawani;'uidv  mountains,  stretching"  across  the  county  from  Crawford 
to  the  Jersey  line,  in  which  the  soil  partakes  of  the  grits  and  shales 
of  this  serii's,  giving  peculiar  features  and  ([ualities  to  the  surface. 

In  this  connection  it  may  be  remarked,  tli;it  the  most  striking  fea- 
ture ol'  the  Shawangunk  range,  as  presented  to  the  eye,  is  tlu"  fact 
that  the  surface  ol"  its  eastern  or  south-eastern  slope  bears  abundant 
evidence  that  the  great  glacial  or  ice  agv  witnessed  the  i)assage  from 
it  of  an  enormous  glacier,  which  ground  up  the  rocks  until  the  soil 
was  produced  which  is  now  so  highly  cultivated,  while  its  western  or 
north-western  slopes  remain  rocky  and  untillable,  bearing*  nothing 
but  forest  trees  and  minerals.  This  jteculiarity  exists  in  the  range 
even  beyoml  the  limits  of  the  county;  and  tlu^  glacier  marks,  so  plain- 
ly visible,  alVord  a  means  of  Judging  of  the  kind  o\'  plow  that  dugout 
the  beds  and  vallevs  of  the  Wallkill  and  the  Shawangunk  kill. 

Throughout  the  county  the  existiMice  of  large  masses  of  boulders, 
till'  origin  of  whitdi  can  only  be  referred  to  distant  places,  furnishes 
evidence  that  in  many  sections  the  soil  has  been  the  result  of  drift 
deposits.  Below  the  c'\{\  of  Newburgh,  the  drift  bed,  containing  boul- 
ders and  pi'bbles  that  are  scratched,  overlies  the  abraded  rocks,  and 
is  in  turn  overlaid  by  clay  beds,  sand  and  gravel  in  regular  courses. 
Houlders,  erratic  blocks,  and  scratched  rocks,  abound  on  the  High- 
lands. The  boulders  are  formed  mostly  of  granite  and  gneiss;  occa- 
sionallv  one  of  gravwai'ke,  showing  unmistakablv  its  transportation 
from  a  great  distance;  their  accompanying  friable  deposits  now  en- 


GEOLOGY- SOILS. 


79 


enrich  tl)e  niouiitaiii  cloves.  Aside  from  tlieir  contributions  to  the 
soil,  many  t>f  the  drift  deposits  are  valuable — th(>  sand,  lor  casting;-  or 
inonldini>',  smoothing  and  rubbing  stones  used  in  lithography,  blotting 
sand,  and  for  mortar  and  glass;  the  clays,  for  pottery  and  brick. 

The  soil  of  the  plateau  adjoining  the  Hudson,  forming  a  semi-circle 
from  the  Highlands  to  the  Dans  Kanuner,  is  gravelly,  sandy,  clayey 


•  THE    PLATEAU    AT   CORNWALL. 

— a  mixture  foiiiiing  a.  warm  and  fertile  loam.  The  surface  rises 
gradually  to  Orange  lake;  thence  descends  to  the  Wallkili.  The 
soil  of  tiic  Wallkili  valley  is  peculiarly  rich  and  fertile.  Much  of 
it  is  alluvium,  intermingle(l  with  clay,  sand,  and  gravel.  In  the 
town  of  VV^allkill  tlu-  soil  is  more  tliversitied;  in  some  places  it  is 
clayey  and  of  no  great  depth  above  the  rock;  in  othei's  gravelly,  and 
again  sandy  and  (devated.  'fhrough  (Joslien  and  Wai'wick  it  |>artakes 
more  of  clay  and  sand  loam,' with  slight  intervals  of  gravid.  Approx- 
imating the  state  line,  the  primitive  formations  of  Mount  Adam,  Mount 
Eve,  and  I'ociiuck  mountain  change  the  constituents,  but  <lo  not  de- 
tract from  its  fertility.  Some  of  the  most  rich  and  productive  soils 
in  the  couidy  are  found  in  the  islands  of  the  (Ii'owikmI  lands.  West 
of  tlie  Wallkili  valley  the  soil  is  alfet-ted  in  its  (Minstituents  by  the 
Shawanguid<  laiige  of  mountains,  and  is  generally  a  clayey  loam, 
well  a(la{)tA'd  b)  grass.  In  some  [)arts  it  becomes  slaty  and  warm;  in 
others  it  is  slialy  and  covered  with  fragments  of"  roidvs.  In  Deerjiark 
is  a  range  of  soil,  lirouglit  down  from  the  adjacent  hills  and  upper 
country,  that  is  very  fertile  and  easy  of  cultivation;  and,  though  it  has 
l>een  under  the  plow  nearly  two  centuries,  it  still  ranks  with  the  most 
productive  lands  of  tlie  stati'.  TIk'  valley  of  the  Otterkill  is  a  sandy 
and  grav(dly  loam,  {)artly  alluvial. 


80  GENEBAL  HISTORY  OF  OB ANGE  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  V. 

FRENCH    AND    INDIAN    WAR — WAR    OF   THE    REVOLUTION WARS    OF 

THE    REPUBLIC. 


WHILE  tlic  pioneer  settlements  of  tlie  district  now  embraced  in 
tlie  county  of  Orange  were  at  all  times  exposed  to  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  frontier  life,  two  epochs  in  their  history  are  especially  mark- 
ed: the  first,  their  participation  in  the  Indian  war  of  1755;  the  second, 
their  participation  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  The  former  was 
auxiliary  to  the  French  in  the  last  conflict  which  they  maintained  with 
the  English  for  the  supremacy  of  tlie  North  American  continent;  the 
latter,  the  rebellion  of  the  colonies  against  the  governincnt  of  Eng- 
land, resulting,  through  the  aid  of  France,  in  their  establishment  as 
an  independent  nation.  To  what  extent  the  Indians  of  the  Delaware 
river  country  (the  ancient  Lenapes  and  3Iinsis)  were  employed  by  the 
agents  of  France  in  the  former,  in  its  earlier  stages,  cannot  be  defi- 
nitely stated.  Independent  of  French  influence,  however,  \\\v  tribes 
engaged  in  it  had  impelling  grievances  to  adjust.  They  had  sohl 
their  lands  to  William  Penn,  who,  perhaps  under  the  expectation  of 
arranging  the  boundaries  himself  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  grantors, 
had  drawn  a  deed  of  which  advantage  could  be  taken,  and  his  suc- 
cessors, the  proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania,  were  not  slow  to  improve 
it — literally  "running"  the  boundaries  of  the  famous  "  walking  pur- 
chase." The  Miuiiin  had  special  compliiint  against  the  traders  in  the 
Minnisink  country,  who  had  made  them  drunk  and  defrauded  them  of 
the  purchase  money  of  their  lands;  who  invariably,  by  the  same  pro- 
cess, defrauded  tiiem  of  the  price  of  the  peltries  which  they  lirought 
in.  The  Delawares  complained;  the  proprietaries  summoned  them  to 
a  council,  with  chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations  as  arliitrators;  feasted  the 
latter  and  loaded  them  with  presents.  The  result  niay  be  anticipated: 
the  Delawares,  then  tributary  to  the  Six  Nations,  and  the  special 
wards  of  the  Sfnecas,  were  obliged  to  relintjuish  their  lands  and  re- 
move to  Wyoming.  Not  satisfied  with  what  they  had  wrongfully 
obtained,  the  proprietaries  followed  up  their  advantage  with  the  Six 
Nations,  and,  with  the  Susquehanna  Company  of  Connecticut,  bought 
the  lands  at  Wyoming.  The  transaction  so  incensed  the  Senecas,  who 
had  been  but  partially  represented  in  the  matter,  that  they  drove  from 


FRENCH  AND  INDIAN  WAR.  81 


their  ranks  their  best  chief  for  his  participation  in  it,  and  removed  the 
"  petticoat"  from  the  Delawares  and  bade  them  defend  their  homes. 
The  latter  were  ready  for  the  work.  Liberated  from  the  thraldom  to 
which  they  had  been  subjected  for  nearly  a  century,  and  with  all  its 
grievances  to  redress,  the  chiefs  of  the  east  met  those  of  the  west 
in  council  at  Alleghany;  rehearsed  their  wrongs,  and  declared  that 
wherever  the  white  man  had  settled  within  the  territory  which  they 
claimed,  or  of  which  they  had  been  defrauded,  there  they  would  strike 
him  as  best  they  could  with  such  weapons  as  they  could  command; 
and  that  the  blow  might  be  effectually  dealt,  each  warrior-chief  was 
charged  to  kill  and  scalp  and  buru  within  the  precincts  of  his  birth- 
right, and  all  simultaneously,  from  the  frontiers  down  to  the  Jieart  of 
the  settlements,  until  the  English  should  sue  for  peace  and  promise 
redress. 

In  October  following,  with  their  allies,  painted  black  for  war,  in 
bands  with  murderous  intent,  they  moved  eastward,  and  the  line  of 
the  Blue  mountains,  from  the  Delaware  to  the  Susquehanna,  became 
the  scene  of  the  carnival  which  they  held  with  torch  and  tomahawk 
during  many  coming  months.  The  MinsiH  performed  their  part,  and 
on  the  frontiers  of  Orange  and  Ulster  counties,  and  New  Jersey,  V)ut 
principally  within  the  limits  of  the  Minnisink  patent,  were  repeated 
the  fearful  ravages  of  the  more  remote  districts  f)f  Pennsylvania. 
The  settlements  were  small,  at  considerable  distance  from  each  other, 
and  much  exposed  tf)  the  surprises  of  the  Indians,  whose  incursions 
were  frequent.  The  people,  especially  in  the  contested  district,  were 
kept  in  almost  perpetual  alarm,  and  under  such  "continued  military 
dutj'  as  to  be  rendered  incapable  of  taking  care  of  their  private 
affairs  for  the  support  of  their  families."  An  extent  of  country,  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Wallkill,  of  fifteen  miles  in  length  and  seven  or 
eight  in  breadth,  which  was  "  well  and  thickly  settled,  was  abandoned 
l)y  the  inhabitants,  who,  for  their  safety,  removed  their  families  to  the 
east  side  of  the  river,  and  became  a  charge  on  the  charity  of  their 
neighbors,"  while  others  "  removed  to  distant  parts,  and  some  out  of 
the  province."  * 

"  Fatigues  (tf  body,  in  continually  guarding  and  ranging  the  woods, 
and  anxiety  of  mind  which  the  inhabitants  could  not  avoid,  by  their 
being  exposed  to  a  cruel  and  savage  enemy,  increased  by  the  perpet- 
ual lamentations  of  the  women  and  children,"  were  not  the  only  evils 
which  the  inhabitants  suffered.  Three  men  were  killed  at  Cochecton; 
five  men  at  Philip  Swartwout's;  Benjamin  Sutton  and  one  Rude,  two 
of  the  Goshen  militia,  were  killed  at  Minnisink;  Moi'gan   Owen   was 


*  N.  Y.  MSS.  Ixxxii,  107,  etc. 


82  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

killed  and  scalped  about  four  miles  from  Goslieu;  a  woman,  taken 
prisoner  at  Minnisink,  was  killed  and  her  body  cut  in  halves  and  left 
by  the  highway;  Silas  Hulet's  house  was  robbed  and  he  himself  nar- 
rowly esca|)ed.  "From  about  the  drowned  lands  for  fifteen  miles 
down  the  Wallkill,  where  tifty  families  dwelt,  all  save  four  abandoned 
their  fields  and  crops."  * 

Pending  negotiations  for  peace,  hostilities  were  suspended  during 
the  year  1156,  but  in  August  of  the  succeeding  year,  s:iys  Niles,  "one 
James  Tidd  was  scalped  in  the  Minnisinks.  '  AI)out  this  tim(!  also,  one 
James  Watson,  with  James  Mullen,  went  out  on  some  business,  and 
were  fired  upon  by  a  party  of  Indians.  Watson  was  found  killed  and 
scalped-  Mullen  was  carried  off",  as  was  concluded,  not  being  fotind  or 
heard  of.  About  the  19tli  of  September,  Patrick  Karr  was  scalped 
and  killed  at  a  i:)Iace  called  Minnisink  bridge.  Sometime  in  October, 
in  Ulster  county,  the  Indians  fired  into  the  furthermost  house  in  Roch- 
ester, and  killed  two  women,  but  were  repulsed  by  two  men.  f 

"On  the  16th  of  May,  1158,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
about  thirteen  Indians  rushed  into  the  h(»use  of  one  Nicholas  Cole,  on 
the  frontiers  of  tiie  Jerseys,  if  I  mistake  not.  Cole  not  being  at  home, 
they  immediately  pinioned  his  wife,  and  tomahawked  tlieir  son-in-law, 
about  eighteen  years  old,  and  dragged  her  (Mrs.  Cole)  out  of  doors, 
when;  her  eldest  daugiiter,  al)out  thirteen  years  old,  lay  murdered, 
and  a  boy  aged  eight,  and  her  youngest  daughter  aged  about  four. 
This  last- — the  ]>oor,  helpless  old  woman  saw  the  cruel  savages  thrust 
tlieir  spears  into  the  body  of  her  gasping  infant.  They  rifled  the 
house,  and  then  carried  her  and  her  son  off",  after  tiiey  had  scalped  the 
slain  above  mentioned. 

"Soon  after  tiiey  were  joined  by  two  Indians  with  two  (German 
captives  they  had  taken  that  day,  and  killed  and  scalped  another,  in 
one  Anthony  Westbrook's  field,  near  Minnisink,  so  called.  Not  long 
after  Cole  returned  home,  where  to  his  great  surprise  he  found  his 
four  children  murdered,  and  his  wife  and  othei-  son  missing.  Upon 
which  he  went  to  Minnisiidt  (Napanoch)  F()rt,|and  got  ;i  few  soldiers 
to  assist  him  in  burying  his  children  and  the  German.  The  soldiers 
joined  with  some  of  the  neighbors  that  evening  to  cross  the  Delaware 
river  at  daylight,  and  waylay  the  road   to   Wyoming;  and  as  lour  of 


*  "  All  the  families  between  the  deponent's  house  and  Minnisink,  to  the  amount  of  one 
hvmdred  and  fifty  persons,  have  deserted  those  settlements  and  conio  into  four  frontier 
houses,  one  of  which  is  the  deponent's  house,  which  is  now  a  frontier  house  on  that  side, 
and  which  was,  last  year,  fifteen  or  sixteen  miles  within  the  settlements  at  Minnisink,  and 
about  sixteen  miles  from  Hudson's  river."— 4^daBi/  of  James  HoireU,  N.Y.  MSS.  Ixxxh. 

t  The  attack  here  spoken  of  was  on  the  house  of  Peter  Jan,  in  the  south-western  part  of 
Itochcster.  Jan's  house  was  burned  and  one  of  his  daughters,  and  two  men  who  acted  as 
scouts,  were  killed.  His  wife  and  two  daughters,  and  himself  and  two  sons,  who  were  in 
the  field,  escaped.— Doc.  His.,  ii,  763,  764. 

i  Napanoch,  Neepenack,  and  Peenpack,  refer  to  one  and  the  same  place.    Ante  p.  57. 


FRENCH  AND   INDIAN   WAR.  83 

them  were  going  to  one  Chambers's,  about  two  o'clock  at  night,  they 
heard  the  Indians  coming  down  a  hiU  to  cross  the  Delaware,  as  was 
supposed,  when  one  of  the  four  fired  on  them.  They  immediately 
fled,  giving  a  yell  after  their  manner.  The  woman  they  led  with  a 
string  about  her  neck,  and  the  boy  by  the  hand  ;  who,  finding  them- 
selves loose,  made  their  escape  along  the  road,  and  happHy  met  at 
James  McCarty's,  the  boy  first  and  afterward  the  woman. 

"  The  daughter  of  one  widow  Walling,  living  near  Fort  Gardiner, 
between  Goshen  and  Minnisink,  going  out  to  pick  up  some  chips  for 
the  fire,  was  shot  at  by  three  Indians.  Her  shrieks  alarmed  the 
people.  Her  brother,  looking  out  at  a  garret  window,  and  seeing  a 
fellow  dispatching  and  scalping  his  sister,  fired  at  them  and  was 
pretty  certain  he  wounded  one  of  them.  The  old  woman,  during  this, 
with  her  other  daughter  and  son,  made  off  and  escaped. 

"About  this  time  (beginning  of  June),  a  sergeant  went  from  Waas- 
ing*  to  Minnisink  with  a  party  of  men,  but  returned  not  at  the  time 
they  were  exjDected.  Upon  which  a  larger  party  went  out  in  search 
of  them,  and  at  their  arrival  at  Minnisink,  found  seven  of  them  killed 
and  scalped,  three  wounded,  and  a  woman  and  foiir  children  carried 
off.  Near  about  the  same  time,  a  house  was  beset  by  a  party  of  In- 
dians, where  were  seventeen  persons,  who  were  killed,  as  I  remember 
the  account.  A  man  and  a  boy  traveling  on  the  road  with  their  mus- 
kets, were  fired  on  by  some  Indians  in  ambush.  The  man  was  killed, 
but  the  boy  escaped,  having  first  killed  one  of  the  Indians.  Not  far 
from  this  time — whether  before  or  after  I  am  not  certain — the  Indians 
killed  seven  New  York  soldiers.  Tliis  slaughter  was  committed  at  a 
place  called  AVestfall's."  f 

Such  is  the  imperfect  recoi-d  of  these  hostilities,  attested  by  the 
most  respectable  residents  of  the  district — among  others  by  Colonel 
Thomas  Ellison  and  Colonel  Charles  Chnton,  of  the  settlements  on  the 
Hudson,  which,  though  exempt  from  the  brand  of  the  enemy,  were 
not  the  less  sufferers  by  the  war,  their  male  inhabitants  being  in  almost 
continual  service  on  the  frontiers,  and  their  dwellings  converted 
into  places  of  defense.  That  the  incursions  of  the  Indians  on  the 
frontiers  were  not  continued  in  their  first  severity,  was  due  in  part  to 
the  erection  bv  Governor  Hardv,  in  the  summer  of  1757,  of  a  series 
of  block-houses  along  the  western  frontier,!  and  in  part  to  the  nego- 

*  Wawarsing  block-house,  probably.  t  See  also  Eager's  Oranjre  County,  381. 

i  "  From  a  place  called  Machakamak  to  the  town  of  Eochester." — Griv.  Hardy^s  Mes- 
sage. Mr.  Guamer  states  that  at  this  time  there  were  three  small  forts  in  the  Upper 
Neighborhood  and  three  in  the  lower  Neighborhood.  "  One  in  the  Upper  Neighborhood 
was  on  the  Neversink  at  the  north-east  end  of  the  settlement ;  one  at  the  house  of  Peter 
ftumaer  in  the  central  part  of  the  neighborhood,  and  the  third  at  the  south-west  end  of 
the  settlement.  These  forts  were  occupied  by  about  twelve  families  and  a  few  soldiers 
who  were  there  from  time  to  time.  The  locations  of  the  forts  in  the  Lower  Neigliliorhood 
arc  not  known.  They  gave  protection  to  about  eighteen  families."  In  a  subsequent  par- 
agraph he  says  that  ' '  Westfall's  Fort  "  was  in  the  lower  part  of  the  latter  neighborhood. 

o6 


84  GENERAL   mSTORY  OF  OBANGE  COUNTY. 


tiations  which  had  been  instituted  with  Teed^Tiscung,  the  king^  of  the 
Delawares,  who,  seeking  only  the  redress  of  his  people,  was  ready  to 
restrain  them  fi'om  war  could  that  end  be  secui-ed  by  other  means. 
In  October,  1758,  the  proprietai-ies  sm-rendered  their  titles  and  recog- 
nized the  right  of  the  govermuent  to  arrange  the  boundaries  of  the 
lands  claimed  under  them;  the  Minfih  were  paid  for  their  lands  in 
the  Minnisink  country;  an  exchange  of  prisoners  was  agreed  to,  and 
tei-ms  of  peace  concluded.  Subsequently  the  Indian  allies  of  the 
French  held  the  fi'ontier  under  teiTor  until  after  the  close  of  the 
French  and  Indian  war,  when  the  avocations  of  the  j)ioneers  were 
resumed  and  theii*  rude  forts  permitted  to  decay. 

From  the  close  of  the  Indian  war  to  the  advent  of  the  Revolution 
was  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Its  experiences  were  yet  fi'esh 
— its  ravages  had  scarce  been  repaired.  It  was  not,  therefore  a  new 
experience  on  which  the  people  of  the  district  were  to  enter  that 
confi-onted  them  when  the  echo  of  the  guns  at  Lexington  rolled  over 
the  continent — when  the  ringing  alarm  was  proclaimed :  "  The  war 
has  ah'eady  begun !" — although  it  is  perhaps  time  that  the  jdternative 
of  submission  to  the  demands  of  the  British  ministry  or  war,  was  not 
fuUy  realized  in  the  eai'ly  stages  of  the  controversy.  However  this 
may  be,  in  the  movement  which  cuhiiinated  in  independence,  they 
acted  with  great  unanimity.  When  they  were  asked  in  April,  1775, 
to  send  representatives  to  New  York,  to  meet  with  those  fi'om  other 
parts  of  the  province,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  delegates  to  a  con- 
tinental congress  at  Philadelphia,  the  selection  was  made  by  an  unan- 
imous vote  of  the  county  convention.  A  still  more  decisive  test  was 
that  of  the  pledge  of  association,  which  was  soon  after  presented: 

"  Persuaded  that  the  salvation  of  the  rijrhts  and  hbcrtics  of  America  depend,  under  God, 
on  a  tirni  union  of  its  inhabitants  in  a  -s-igorous  prosecution  of  the  measures  necessary  for 
its  safety ;  we,  the  freemen,  freeholders  and  inhabitants,  being  greatly  alarmed  at  the 
avowed  design  of  the  ministry  to  raise  a  revenue  in  America,  and  slioeked  hy  the  bloody 
scene  now  acting  in  Massachusetts  bay,  do,  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  resolve  never  to 
bfioonie  slaves,  and  do  associate,  under  all  the  ties  of  religion,  honor  and  love  of  country, 
to  adopt  and  endeavor  to  carry  into  execution  whatever  measures  may  be  recommended 
by  the  continetal  congress." 

— yet  it  was  accepted  vrith  an  unanimity  almost  equal  to  that  with 
which  the  election  of  delegates  had  been  voted,  not  five  per  cent,  of 
the  inhabitants  witliholding  their  signatui-es.* 

Aside  from  the  affirmation  of  the  political  convictions  of  its  inhab- 
itants, the  Revolutionary  historj'  of  the  district  has  its  general  and 
its  local  military  features:  the  former,  in  the  concentration  of  con- 
tinental forces  in  and  above  the  Higlolands,  and  the  establishment  of 
the  head-quarters  of  Washington  and  his  principal  officers  at  New 
Windsor  and  at  Newburgh  for  periods  covering  the  larger  pai-t  of  the 

*  Every  freeholder  and  elector  had  the  option  to  give  or  withhold  his  signature  to  this 
pledge.    The  signatures  will  be  given  hereafter. 


WAR    OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  85 


contest ;  the  latter,  in  the  services  of  its  militia.  Prior  to  the  former, 
the  mUitia  knew  Httle  immunity  from  active  duty.  80  ^Teat  was  the 
demand  upon  them  that  two  out  of  every  five  of  their  number  were 
called  out,  and  at  times,  in  order  to  save  their  crops,  they  were  per- 
mitted to  serve  in  the  ranks  by  turns.  The  population  of  the  district 
—representing  only  about  foiir  thousand  males  between  the  ages  of 
sixteen  and  sixty — was  so  small  that  none  who  were  able  to  bear  arms 
were  exempt  from  local  service  or  from  drafts  to  recruit  the  general 
state  and  continental  forces.  In  no  district  in  the  state  were  the 
inhabitants  so  completely  thrown  into  the  contingencies  of  the  strug- 
gle or  suffered  more  severely. 

To  the  first  four  regiments  raised  in  the  province  (1775),  the 
county  of  Orange  sent  two  companies,  and  the  county  of  Ulster  four 
companies;  to  the  four  regiments  raised  in  January,  1776,  Orange 
sent  three  companies,  and  Ulster  three  companies,  and  in  September 
follovnng  contributed  largely  to  the  organization  of  the  regiment 
commanded  by  Colonel  Lewis  DuBois.  The  first  regiments  will  be 
remembered  as  comprising  the  expedition  against  Canada,  whose 
brief  but  heroic  history  marked  the  aggressive  spirit  of  the  infant 
nation.  The  second  regiments  have  written  upon  their  record  the 
story  of  the  defense  of  New  York  and  especially  of  the  battle  at 
Chatterton's  Hill ;  while  the  third  were  the  regular  continental  troops 
enlisted  for  the  war.  In  addition  to  the  companies  named,  two  com- 
panies of  rangers  were  organized — one  under  command  of  Captain 
Isaac  Belknap,  of  Newburgh,  and  one  under  Captain  Jacob  Rutsen 
DeWitt,  of  Peenpack — of  which  the  former  has  immortal  fame  under 
the  title  of  '*' Townsend's  Rangers"  in  Cooper's  story,  "The  Spy."  * 

While  the  several  organizations  were  being  perfected,  the  mihtia 
proper  was  put  in  the  best  possible  condition.  At  the  outbreak  of 
the  war  there  were  four  regiments  in  the  district:  Colonel  John 
Hathom's  in  Warwick,  Colonel  Jesse  Woodhull'ff  in  Cornwall,  Colonel 
EUison's  in  New  Windsor,  and  Colonel  William  AUison's  in  Goshen. 
These  regiments  were  reiirganized,  a  new  enrollment  made,  vacancies 
in  ofiicers  filled,  and  independent  organizations  of  minute  men  and 
of  exempts  created.t     In  July  following,  apprehending  a  movement 

*  More  specific  reference  will  be  made  to  the  military  organizations  of  the  district  in  a 
subsequent  chapter. 

t  In  May,  1775,  commissions  were  issued  to  the  field  officers  of  three  Ulster  county  regi- 
ments: Colonel  .James  Clinton's  (8ubsequentl.v  Colonel  McClanghry's),  New  Windsor; 
Colonel  Jonathan  Hasbrouck's,  Newburgh ;  Colonel  Levi  Pauling,  Rochester.  Orange, 
north  of  the  Highlands,  had  three  regiments  :  Colonel  .Jfsse  Woodhull's,  Cornwall ;  Colo- 
nel William  Allison's,  Goshen  ;  and  Colonel  John  Hathom's,  Warwick.  The  first  regiment 
of  minute  men  in  the  district  was  organized  in  January,  1775— Isaac  NicoU,  of  Cornwall,  X 
Colonel.  The  second  was  organized  in  December,  1775— Thomas  Palmer,  of  Newburgh,*' 
Nj  Colonel.  Several  local  companies  of  minute  men  were  organized,  but  the  regiments  do 
not  appear  to  have  been  filled  up.  Special  organizations  were  rapidly  multiplied,  and 
were  entirely  disproportioned  to  the  population.  Ultimately  all  special  organizations  were 
abolished,  and  the  militia  and  the  troops  of  the  line  became  the  sole  dependence. 


86  GENERAL    HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


of  the  enemy  up  the  Hudson,  the  provincial  convention  ordered  that 
"  one  fom-th  paii  of  the  mihtia  of  the  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster 
be  drawn  out  for  the  defense  of  this  state"  and  "stationed  in  the 
Higlilands  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  river  to  guard  the  deliles." 
Two  regiments  were  organized  under  this  order:  one  fi'om  Ulster, 
Levi  Pauling,  Colonel,  and  one  from  Orange — -Isaac  NicoU,  Colonel; 
Gilbert  Cooper,  Lieut.  Colonel;  Saml.  Logan,  Major.  A  more  sweep- 
ing requisition  was  made  in  December,  when,  after  the  capture  of  New 
York,  the  British  followed  Washin;^-ton  into  New  Jersey,  they  were 
ordered  to  co()perate  with  the  forces  under  Cxenerals  Lee  and  Gates 
in  that  state.  Assembling  at  Chester,*  they  marched  thence  to  a 
place  called  "the  City,  at  the  parting  of  the  roads  leading  from 
Tappan  to  P_yi-amus,"  under  command  of  General  George  Clinton,f 
and  formed  the  nucleus  of  what  was  subsequently  known  as  General 
CHnton's  Brigade,  whicli  was  continued  in  service  in  vaiying  numbers 
until  after  the  fall  of  the  Higliland  forts  in  1777.  For  over  two  years 
they  were  practically  resolved  into  minute  men  and  placed  under  orders 
to  march  upon  signal  to  the  defense  of  the  Highlands  ;|  special  servi- 
ces almost  innumerable  were  thrown  upon  them.  §  Rallying  after  the 
loss  of  Fort  Montgomery,  we  see  them  on  the  march  to  Kingston, 
struggling  against  hope  to  save  that  place  fi'om  the  iiames,  and  from 
thence  returning  to  buUd  anew  their  shattered  citadels,  and  to  reap- 
pear in  the  carnage  at  Minnisink. 

Although  famihar,  an  abridged  narrative  of  their  se vices  in  these 
fields  may  not  be  omitted  in  this  connection.  In  July,  1775,  the 
British  ministry,  in  arranging  their  plan  for  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion,  determined  "to  command  the  Hudson  wdth  a  number  of 
small  men  of  war  and  cutters,  and  maintain  a  safe  intercourse  and 
correspondence  between   Quebec,  Albany  and  New  York,  and  thus 


*  "  Resolved,  That  all  tho  militia  of  Orange  and  Ulster  couuties  be  forthwith  ordered  to 
march,  properly  armod  and  accoutererl,  toChe.sttr,  in  Oranjre  coiinty,  there  to  receive 
further  orders  from  General  George  Clinton  for  effectually  cooperating  with  Ma.jor-Gene- 
ral  Lee  and  Major-General  Gates,  in  harassing  and  distressing  the  enemy,  who  have  en- 
tered the  state  of  Now  Jersey."— 7?p.s.  Prov.  Conv.,  Dec.  9,  177(5.  .\  subsequent  order 
confined  them  to  the  limits  of  New  York. 

t  At  that  time  Brigadier  General  of  militia  of  Ulster  countv  ;  subsequently  Governor  of 
the  state. 

%  "On  the  tiring  of  two  cannon  at  Fort  Montgomery,  and  two  at  Fort  Constitution,  to 
be  answered  by  two  from  the  brass  twenty-four  pounder  at  New  Windsor,  the  militia  on 
the  west  side  of  Hudson's  river,  in  the  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster,  as  far  as  Colonel 
Hasbronck's  regiment,  inclnding  the  same,  are  to  march  by  detachments,  without  further 
notice,  as  a  reinforcement  of  this  garrison."— Orf/«TC)/'i)VK/.  OeneralJames  CMnto7i,com- 
mnnding  at  For/  Montgomery,  July  10,  1777.  From  December,  1776,  to  April,  1778,  the 
militia  were  called  out  twelve  times  and  spent  292  days  in  the  field. 

§  A  single  instance  of  the  many  recorded  services  of  this  nature  is  the  following  which 
occurred  on  the  morning  i)receding  the  battle  of  Minnisink.  and  which  accounts  for  the 
limited  nimiber  of  men  in  that  action  :  "  On  the  evening  of  the  21st  of  this  instant,  I  re- 
ceived an  order  from  his  excellency  General  Washington,  together  with  a  requisition  of  the 
Commissary  of  Prisoners,  to  furnish  one  hundred  men  of  my  regiment  to  guard  the  British 
prisoners  on  their  way  to  Easton.  I  ordered  three  companies'of  mv  regiment,  including 
the  exempt  company,  to  parade  foi'  that  \mrpose.'''—Hathorn.'s  Report,  July  25,  1779. 


WAR   OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  87 


afford  the  finest  opportunity  to  their  soldiery,  and  the  Canadians  in 
conjunction  with  the  Indians,  to  make  continual  inciu'sions  into  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  divide  the  provincial  forces,  so  as  to  render  it  easy  for 
the  British  army  at  Boston  to  defeat  them  and  break  the  sj^irits  of  the 
Massachusetts  jjeople,  desolate  their  country  and  compel  an  absolute 
subjection  to  Great  Britain."  To  counteract  this  plan,  the  continental 
congress,  in  May  of  the  same  year,  at  the  suggestion  of  the.  conven- 
tion of  New  York,  resolved,  "  that  a  post  be  taken  in  the  Highlands, 
on  each  side  of  Hudson's  river,  and  batteries  erected,  and  that  experi- 
enced persons  be  immediately  sent  to  examine  said  river  in  order  to 
discover  where  it  would  be  most  advisable  and  proper  to  obstruct  the 
navigation."  During  the  succeeding  fall.  Forts  Clinton  and  Mont- 
gomery were  erected  under  the  supervision  of  the  convention  of  New 
York,  and  the  navigation  obstinicted  by  means  of  chains,  booms,  fire- 
ships,  and  vessels  of  wax*,  dimng  the  summer  of  1776.*  The  forts 
were  mainly  garrisoned  by  the  mihtia  of  the  district,  who  were  called 
together  by  a  system  of  beacons  and  signals,  consisting  of  flags  and 
alarm  cannon  by  day,  and  beacon-fires  upon  the  mountain  tops  at 
night.  The  works  were  strengthened  during  the  summer  of  1777,  by 
the  constinaction  of  Fort  (Jonstitution  on  Constitution  island,  and  of 
Foi-t  Independence  at  Peekskill,  and  the  command,  on  the  east  side 
of  the  river,  intrusted  to  General  Putnam;  Governor  Chnton  and 
General  -James  Clinton  and  the  militia  retaining  the  western  division. 
Scarcely  had  the  work  been  completed  when  Burgoyne  swept  down 
fi-om  Canada  with  his  splendid  army,  and  the  campaign  for  the  pos- 
session of  the  Hudson  opened.  To  aid  in  the  movement,  Howe  threat- 
ened an  attack  on  Philadelphia,  by  way  of  Delaware  liver,  and  thus 
forced  Washington  to  draw  men  from  the  Highlands  until  only  fifteen 
hundi'ed  remained.  About  the  2()th  of  September,  while  Howe  was 
marching  into  Philadelijhia,  and  Biu'goyne  had  reached  Saratoga,  over 
three  thousand  British  soldiers  arrived  in  New  York,  and  there  joined 
the  armament  of  Sir  Heruy  Clinton,  then  in  waiting,  and  in  a  few 
days  started  to  force  their  way  up  the  Hudson.  Misleading  General 
Putnam  by  feigning  an  attack  on  Peekskill,  the  forces  of  the  enemy 
crossed  the  river  to  Stony  Point,  marched  around  the  western  base  of 
the  Dunderberg  (Oct.  7),  and  appeai-ed  before  the  foi-ts.  The  mihtia 
of  the  district,  about  six  hxuidred  in  number,  that  had  been  hastily 
called  in  the  day  previous,   made   a  most   heroic   defense,   fighting 


*  The  first  obstructions  consisted  of  a  chain  1800  feet  in  length  from  the  foot  of  the 
rock  at  i'ort  Montgomery  to  the  base  of  Anthony's  Nose.  A  considerable  portion  of  it 
was  brought  from  i''ort  Ticonderoga,  where  it  had  been  used  to  obstruct  the  river  Sorrel; 
the  remainder  was  manufactured  at  Poughkeepsie.  It  was  protected  b}'  a  boom  of  logs, 
and  guarded  by  batteries  on  the  shore.  Jj'rom  Plum  Point  to  Pallopel's  Island,  a  chevaux- 
de-frise  was  constructed.  The  tire-ships  were  rafts  loaded  with  combustibles.  The  ships 
of  war  were  two  armed  frigates,  two  galleys,  and  an  armed  sloop. 


88  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

against  superior  numbers  until  twilight,  when  they  gave  way  and 
made  a  scattered  retreat,  leaving  behind  them  about  three  hundred  of 
their  number  in  kOled,  wounded  and  prisoners.* 

Adverse  winds  prevented  the  escape  of  the  armed  vessels  which 
had  been  stationed  to  protect  the  chain  and  boom,  and  they  were 
set  on  fire  by  their  crews.  The  flames  spread  rapidly  and  soon 
reached  the  loaded  cannon,  which  gave  out  thundering  reports,  and 
finally  the  magazines,  and  amid  "magnificent  pyramids  of  fire,"  a 
tremendous  explosion  shook  the  hills,  and  all  again  was  wrapped 
in  darkness.  On  the  morning  following  the  enemy  removed  the 
obstructions,  and  passed  on  up  the  river,  hurling  shot  and  shell  to 
the  exposed  dwellings  on  either  shore,  sending  the  inhabitants  to  their 
cellars  and  to  the  woods  for  safety.  The  cause  of  the  colonists  seemed 
hopelessly  lost;  gloom  hung  its  heavy  clouds  over  theii-  hopes;  the 
defenses  which  had  cost  them  so  much  money  and  sacrifice,  had  proved 
of  no  avail;  weeping  for  the  slaia,  and  fears  for  the  captives,  were 
guests  in  many  households. 

The  captiu'e  of  Burgoyne's  army,  however,  frustrated  the  nearly 
accomphshed  eftbrts  of  the  enemy,  and  theii-  fleet  returned  to  New 
York.  Hteps  were  immediately  taken  by  the  colonists  to  reestablish 
the  Highland  defenses.  The  works  and  obstructions  were  similar  to 
those  which  had  been  destroyed,  but  the  location  was  better  chosen. 
A  new  fort  was  erected  on  a  cliff  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet  above 
the  river,  on  the  east  side  of  the  present  parade  ground  at  West 
Point.  It  was  large  enough  to  shelter  six  hundi'ed  men,  and  was  only 
accessible  at  one  point  from  the  river,  which  was  securely  defended  by 
pahsades.  It  was  the  principal  fori  on  the  Point,  and  bore  the  bap- 
tismal name  of  Fori  Arnold,  f  Its  out-works  were  Fort  Putnam,  on 
Moimt  Independence,  and  Foris  Webb  and  Wyllys  near  by;  indeed, 
on  eveiy  eminence  in  the  neighborhood  commanding  Fori  Arnold 
were  batteries  forming  a  chain  of  redoubts  to  the  river.  |  The  river 
obstructions  were  a  massive  chain  and  boom,  extending  from  the  foot 
of  Fori  Arnold  to  the  landing  on  Constitution  island.  West  Point 
thus  became  the  strongest  military  post  ia  America — the  virtual  key 
to  the  continent.  No  longer  garrisoned  by  the  local  militia,  our  in- 
terest in  it  other  than  that  which  is  national  ceases. 


*  The  re^ments  engaged  were  :  Colonel  Allison's,  from  Goshen,  commanded  by  him- 
self; Colonel  Jesae  Woodhull's,  from  Cornwall,  under  command  of  Major  Zachariah 
DuBois  ;  Colonel  Jas.  Clinton's,  from  New  Windsor,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Colonel  James 
McClaughry  ;  Colonel  Hasbrouck's,  from  Newburgh,  under  Lieut.  Colonel  Masten  ;  three 
regiments  ft-om  other  districts,  and  Colonel  DuBois'  continental  regiment,  and  Col.  Lamb's 
artillery.  The  regiments  were  by  no  means  full.  No  return  of  the  killed  appears  on 
record. 

t  Subsequently  changed  to  Fort  Clinton.    A  part  of  its  walls  remain. 

i  Fort  Putnam  is  now  the  most  complete  in  its  ruins,  presenting  walls  and  casemates  in 
a  considerable  state  of  perfection,  though  not  as  they  existed  during  the  Revolution,  the 
works  having  been  repaiied  in  1812. 


WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  89 


Wliile  these  events  were  transpiring  on  the  Hudson,  the  western 
frontier  was  harassed  by  the  incursions  of  Indians  and  Tories.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  Avar  the  colonists  made  no  httle  effort  to  induce  the 
more  important  tribes,  as  well  as  the  resident  Indians,  to  remain 
neutral.  To  some  extent  this  effori  was  successftil,  but  ultimately  the 
rude  savages,  always  easily  debauched  by  rum  and  trinkets,  yielded 
to  the  sohcitations  and  rewards  of  the  English  agents,  and  accepted 
service  in  their  ranks.  The  bulk  of  the  Six  Nations  were  more  im- 
mediately employed  in  the  norihern  and  western  parts  of  the  prov- 
ince, in  company  with  the  Tories,  in  an  independent  organization 
known  as  "Tories  and  Indians."  This  organization  was  extended  to 
the  south-western  fi-ontiers  in  1777,  when  a  rendezvous  was  estab- 
lished by  Brant  and  Butler  at  Oghkawaga  (now  Binghamton),  where 
was  soon  gathered  a  motley  crew  of  wliites  and  savages,  from  the 
Delaware  and  its  branches,  whose  field  of  operations  was  to  embrace 
the  fi'ontier  settlements  with  which  its  members  were  best  acquainted. 
In  anticipation  of  the  events  which  subsequently  followed,  the  settlers 
in  the  western  part  of  Orange  erected,  soon  after  hostihties  com- 
menced, a  number  of  block-houses,*  while  others  stockaded  theii' 
dwellings  with  a  view  to  defense.  The  first  invasion  of  the  district 
is  said  to  have  occurred  on  the  13th  of  October,  1778,  when  two 
dwelhngs  were  attacked,  three  persons  killed,  and  the  inhabitants 
despoiled  of  their  grain  and  stock,  f  Count  Pulaski,  with  his  legion  of 
cavahy,  was  then  sent  to  Minnisink  for  the  protection  of  the  settlers, 
and  remained  during  the  winter  of  1778-79,  and  Col.  Van  Corilandt's 
regiment  was  sent  to  Wawarsing.  Hostihties  were  renewed  in  the 
spring;  the  vaUey  of  the  Susquehanna  was  devastated;  Wyoming 
became  the  scene  of  frightful  massacre;  north-western  Ulster  was 
invaded  and  the  Fantinekill  and  Woodstock  settlements  visited.  The 
withdrawal  of  Count  Pulaski  fi-om  Minnisink  left  the  lower  frontier 
exposed,  and,  on  the  night  of  July  19th,  Brant,  with  sixty-five  of  his 
warriors,  and  twenty-seven  Tories  disguised  as  savages,|  stole  upon 
what  was  then  known  as  the  Lower  Neighborhood,  §  and  before  the 
people  were  aroused  from  their  slumbers  several  dwellings  were  set 
on  fire,  and  the  work  of  death  begun.     Without  means  of  defense, 


*  Mr.  Gumaer  states  (Eager's  History,  385),  that  three  small  forts  were  erected  in  the 
Peenpack  neighborhood — "  one  at  the  liouse  of  Jacob  Rutsen  DeWitt ;  one  at  the  house 
of  Benjamin  K.  DePuy,  and  one  at  the  house  of  Ezekiel  Gumaer."  He  intimates  that 
there  wete  none  at  the  Lower  Neighbornood  or  Little  Minnisink.  Sauthier's  n\&])  of  1779, 
locates  "Col.  Jersey  Fort  "  at  the  "  Lower  Neighborhood,"  and  "  Fort  Ootenco  "  north  of 
the  "  Upper  Neighborhood."  Besides  the  "  Col.  Jersey  Fort,"  there  were  several  forts 
(so  called)  at  the  "Lower  Neighborhood,"  erected  by  individuals  for  their  own  protec- 
tion.    Among  others  one  at  Daniel  Van  Auken's,  and  one  at  Martinas  Decker's. 

t  This  statement  is  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Gumaer.    We  find  no  other  record. 

X  The  number  of  the  attacking  party  was  never  definitely  known. 

§  Now  in  Deerpark  south  of  the  Neversink  river,  and  so  called  to  distinguish  it  from  the 
Upper  Neighborhood,  or  original  settlement  on  the  Cuddeback  patent. 


90  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

the  inhabitants  fled  to  the  mountains,  leaving  all  their  worldly  goods 
a  spoil  to  the  invaders.  Their  church,  mills,  houses  and  barns  were 
bm-ned;  several  persons  were  killed  and  some  taken  prisoners;  cattle 
were  di'iven  away,  and  booty  of  every  kind  carried  to  G-rassy  brook 
on  the  Delaware,  where  Brant  had  his  head-quarters.* 

Alarmed  by  fugitives.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Tusten,  of  Colonel  AUi- 
son's  Goshen  regiment,  Colonel  Hathorn  of  the  Warwick  regiment, 
and  Captain  Meeker  of  the  New  Jersey  mHitia,  with  such  number  of 
their  commands  as  could  be  brought  together  in  so  brief  a  time, 
met  in  council  at  IMinnisink  the  following  morning.  Col.  Tusten  re- 
garded the  force  too  small  to  attempt  the  pursuit  of  the  invaders,  but 
he  was  overruled,  and  the  line  of  march  taken  up,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Hathorn,  and  continued  until  the  high  hills  overlooking  the 
Delaware,  neai-  the  mouth  of  the  Lackawaxen,  were  reached,  where 
the  enemy  was  discovered.  Ordering  his  force  into  three  divisions, 
Hathorn  made  preparations  for  the  attack;  but  was  anticipated  by 
Brant,  who  having,  it  is  said,  received  reinforcements,  threw  his  war- 
riors into  action  before  Hathorn's  dispositions  were  fully  made,  and 
compelled  his  rear  division  to  break  and  fly.  Hathorn  rallied  his  men 
as  best  he  could;  but  Brant  had  the  advantage  of  position  and  supe- 
rior numbers,  and  di-ew  his  Are  closer  and  closer  until  Hathorn  was 
hemmed  in  within  the  circumference  of  an  acre  of  ground,  upon  a 
rocky  hill  that  sloped  on  all  sides,  where  he  maintained  the  conflict 
until  the  sun  of  that  long  July  day  went  down.  \Mth  the  gathering- 
twilight  the  ammunition  of  his  men  was  exhausted,  and,  placing 
themselves  in  a  hollow  square,  they  prepared  for  a  flnal  defense  by 
clubbing  their  muskets.  Broken  at  one  corner,  the  square  became  a 
rout,  and  the  fl.)ing  fugitives  were  shot  down  without  mercy.  Behind 
a  rock  on  the  iield,  Tusten  dressed  the  wounds  of  his  neighbors,  wlule 
his  shelter,  vmknown  to  him,  was  also  made  the  point  from  which  a 
Are  was  constantly  kept  up  by  a  negro.  As  the  last  shot  fell  from  this 
retreat,  the  Indians  rushed  to  the  spot,  killed  Tusten  and  the  wounded 
men  in  his  charge,  seventeen  in  number,  and  completed  the  bloody 
work  which  they  liad  commenced.  Of  those  who  heroically  went  foi-th 
to  chastise  the  invaders,  only  about  thii'ty  retvu'ned  to  relate  the  ex- 
periences through  which  they  had  passed  in  the  scourging  conflict — 
the  whistle  of  bullets,  the  moans  of  the  wounded,  the  yells  of  savage 
foes — grafting  them  foi-ever  upon  the  memory  of  their  descendants 

*  Col.  Hathorn,  in  his  rejjort  to  Governor  Clinton,  states  :  "  They  burnt  Major  Decker's 
house  and  barn;  Samufl  jJavis's  house,  barn  and  mill;  Jacobus  Van  Vleck's  house  and 
barn  ;  Daniel  Van  Aukeu's  barn  ;  Esquire  Cuykiudali's  house  and  barn  ;  Simon  WestfaU's 
houso  and  barn  ;  the  church  (the  old  iVlaghaghkemek  church);  Peter  Cuykindall's  house 
and  baru ;  Martinas  Decker's  tort,  house,  barn,  and  saw -mill,  and  Neheniiah  Patterson's 
saw-mill;  killed  and  scalped  Jeremiah  Van  Auken,  Daniel  Cole,  Ephraim  Ferguson,  and 
one  Tavern,  and  took  witu  them  several  prisoners,  mostly  children,  with  a  great  number 
of  hoiTes,  cattle,  and  valuable  plunder." 


WAR  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  91 


and  weaving  them  imperishably  into  the  traditions  and  the  history 
of  the  county.* 

Had  the  district  been  subjected  to  no  other  than  foreign  enemies, 
its  condition  would  have  been  more  tolerable;  but  unfortunately  lying 
on  the  borders  of  territory  in  possession  of  the  British,  its  more  south- 
ern portion  was  infested  with  bands  of  "  cow-boys  "  operating  against 
the  property  of  its  people.  The  Moni-oe  mountains  were  the  places 
of  concealment  of  these  bands,  and  Stony  Point  their  secure  retreat. 
They  were  the  guerrillas  of  the  king;  the  retainers  of  the  more  re- 
spectable portion  of  those  who  had  refused  the  pledge  of  association. 
Adding  the  mui'der  of  Major  Nathl.  Strong,  of  the  Blooming-Crrove 
settlement,  to  their  other  offenses,  Claudius  Smith,  a  leader  of  one  of 
the  organizations,  was  tinaUy  hunted  down,  and,  on  the  1 8th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1779,  j)ubhcly  executed  at  Groshen;  several  of  his  associates  shai-- 
ing  his  fate  on  tlie  22d  of  the  same  month.  His  band  was  not  broken 
up,  however,  but  continued  its  depredations  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
The  service  of  another  of  these  bands,  however  bold  may  have  been 
its  thefts,  was  not  always  creditable  to  its  sagacity  or  that  of  its  em- 
ployers. For  the  deception  which  Washingion  practiced  upon  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  through  Captain's  Moody's,  in  canyxng  out  his  scheme 
for  the  capture  of  Lord  Comwalhs,  they  ought  to  be  forgiven  many 
evil  deeds  and  their  haunts  immortahzed.  Joshua  Hett  Smith  relates 
the  incident  refeiTed  to,  fi-om  the  British  stand-point,  while  yet  Clinton 
was  rubbing  his  hands  in  glee  at  its  consummation.  He  says:  "The 
Clove  was  celebrated  for  the  attachment  of  the  inlialntants  in  general 
to  the  British  interests,  who  had  frequently  encouraged  and  protected 
parties  from  New  York,  in  then-  mountainous  recesses;  and  it  was  in 
this  defile  that  the  celebrated  Captain  Moody,  in  May,  1781,  intercept- 
ed an  express  fi'om  G-eneral  Washington  to  congress,  communicating 
the  result  of  his  interAiew  with  the  commanders  of  the  land  and  naval 


.  *  The  traditions  of  the  engagement  are  too  numerous  to  be  folJected,  and  in  many 
cases  liave  been  exaggerated  in  repetition.  Dr.  Wilson,  in  liis  address  in  1822,  states  that 
Hathorn  had  but  eiglity  men,  while  Hathorn  himself  says  he  had  one  hundied  and  twenty 
men.  The  latter  included  Meeker's  New  Jersey  militia,  while  it  is  piobable  Dr.  Wilson's 
mimber  was  conrined  to  the  militia  of  Gosheu,  or  to  those  who  (hd  not  tly  to  the  woods  in 
the  tirst  shock  of  the  engagement.  Again— iiathorn  was  not  certain  as  to  the  force  under 
Braut,  but  says:  "Some  say  '.10,  others  120,  others  160."'  The  tradition  that  multiplies 
these  ligures  to  "  30!)  Indians  and  200  Tories,"  must  of  course  be  fabulous.  Hathorn's  ac- 
count of  the  battle,  written  five  days  after  its  occurrence,  must  be  accepted  evidence.  He 
states  that  in  the  first  part  of  the  action  the  rear  division  of  his  force  broke  and  fled,  "  some 
advanced  down  the  hill  towards  me,  others  fled  into  the  woods;"'  that  he  maintained  his 
position  "  up  the  hill  from  the  river,"'  and  was  not  cut  off  from  the  latter  by  an  ambuscade; 
that  when  he  subsequently  fell  back  on  the  hill  he  found  he  had  "out  forty-five  men,  with 
whom  he  held  the  position  until  dark,  when  in  the  midst  of  the  final  melee,  "every  man 
made  choice  of  his  own  way."  The  loss  on- the  part  of  Brant  was  never  known,  in  1822 
the  bones  of  the  fallen  were  gathered  from  the  battle-field  and  interred  at  (loshen  under 
a  monument  inscribed:  "  Erected  by  the  iuhabitauts  of  Orange  county,  .July  22d,  1822.  Sa- 
cred to  the  memory  of  forty-four  of  their  fellow-citizens  who  fell  at  the  battle  of  Minnisink, 
July  22d,  177tf."  No  positive  identification  of  the  remains  could  be  made.  The  present 
monument  (see  frontispiece)  was  the  gift  of  the  late  Dr.  M.  H.  Cash,  and  was  erected  by 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1862. 


92  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

forces  of  France,  and  which  disclosed  to  Sir  Henrj'  Clinton  the  design 
of  General  Washington  to  attack  the  seat  of  the  British  power,  New 
York;  and  enabled  Sir  Heniy  to  take  the  necessary  precautions  to 
prevent  the  combination  by  withdrawing  fi'om  Lord  Cornwallis  a  part 
of  liis  troops."  The  facts  are  all  con-ectly  stated  except  that  Wash- 
ington designed  the  dispatches  for  captui-e,  in  expectation  that  CHnton 
would  do  precisely  what  he  did  do.  When  the  latter  was  made 
awai'e  of  Washington's  real  intention,  the  aUied  army  was  far  on  its 
march  to  Vii'ginia;  before  he  could  con-ect  his  blunders  Cornwallis 
was  a  prisoner,  and  the  success  of  the  Revolution  assui-ed. 

The  presence  of  the  continental  army  in  the  district,  and  the  estab- 
lishment in  it  of  Washington's  head-quarters;  the  treason  of  Arnold, 
and  the  fate  of  Andr^' ;  WajTie's  victoiy  at  Stony  Point,  and  his  defeat 
at  Bergen;  the  Newbiu-gh  letters,  and  the  refusal  of  Washington  to 
accept  the  crowTi  of  monarchy ;  the  conflicts  and  stratagems  that  were 
enacted  through  aU  the  Highland  range — have  given  the  county  a 
national  record  that  need  not  be  repeated  here.  A  careful  analysis 
of  the  question  would,  it  is  believed,  establish  conclusively  the  fact 
that,  while  national  independence  was  decreed  at  Philadelphia  in  177G, 
the  republic  had  its  bu-th  on  the  camp-ground  of  the  continental  army 
at  New  Windsor.  Seeking,  in  the  early  stages  of  the  war,  a  redi-ess 
of  grievances;  laboring  subsequently  for  the  success  of  the  declara- 
tion "  that  these  colonies  ai"e,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  fi'ee  and  inde- 
pendent datex,"  the  question  of  the  permanent  form  of  government 
was  held  in  abeyance.  The  first  formal  expression  of  sentiment  on 
the  subject  was  the  Col.  Nicola  letter,  and  the  rejection  by  W^ashing- 
ton  of  the  offered  crown.  But  this  discussion  may  weU  be  waived. 
Fortunate  will  be  the  American  people  if  the  republic,  no  matter  where 
inaugurated — -whether  at  Pliiladelphia  amid  the  clangor  of  beUs  on 
the  foiu-th  of  July,  1776;  or  at  New  Windsor  in  the  chant  of  the  aimy, 
"No  king  but  God,"  on  the  nineteenth  of  April,  1783 — shall  suiwive 
the  influences  perpetually  menacing  its  overthrow. 

In  the  wai's  of  the  republic  the  people  of  Orange  have  borne  their 
full  share.  Then  battles,  and  those  of  the  rebellion,  were  mainly 
fought  by  volunteers  and  by  the  federal  army  and  navy.  In  that  of 
1812,  however,  the  militia  of  the  county  was  ordered  out  en  maf^se  for 
the  defense  of  New  York,  but  met  no  enemy  there.  In  records  to  be 
given  hereafter  we  shall  meet  her  sons  on  the  ocean  and  on  the  field; 
in  the  everglades  of  Florida,  and  before  the  embrasured  walls  of 
Mexico;  on  the  fi-atricidal  fields  of  Virginia,  and  in  the  memorable 
march  from  the  IVIississippi  to  the  sea. 


KtJINS   OF   FOBT   PUTNAM. 


JUDICIAL  HISTORY.  93 


CHAPTER  VI. 

.rUDICIAX    HISTORY PUBLIC    BUILDINGS CIVIL    ADMINISTRATION TOWN 

BOUNDARIES GENERAL    SUMMARY. 


THE  judicial  histoiy  of  Oraiige  county  properly  begins  with  its 
Coui-t  of  Common  Pleas  (1691),  the  first  session  of  which  was 
held  at  Orangetown,  April  28,  1708.*  Prior  to  that  time,  and  for 
several  3'ears  subsequent,  in  some  cases,  as  has  been  already  stated, 
its  primary  settlements  were  attached  to  New  York  or  were  included 
in  the  county  of  Ulster.  The  coiu't  of  Common  Pleas  was  continued 
until  1847,  when  it  gave  place  to  the  present  County  Court.  The 
Supreme  Court  (also  established  in  1691),  held  Circuits  in  the  county 
after  1708.  Its  bench  was  composed  of  the  best  legal  tsilent  of  the 
province  and  of  the  state.  Its  Circuits  were  su<  ceeded  by  the  Circuit 
Courts  established  by  the  constitution  of  1821,  and  the  latter  by  the 
judicial  system  of  1846,  when  a  new  Supreme  Couri  was  organized 
having  general  jurisdiction  of  law  and  equity,  and  holding  at  least 
two  terms  annually  of  the  Circuit  Court  and  Court  of  Oyer  and  Ter- 
miner in  each  county.  Surrogate's  courts  have  been  held  in  the 
county  since  1754.  The  original  county  was  divided  into  two  court 
districts  in  1727,  when  courts  were  held  at  Orangetown  and  at  Goshen 
alternately,  the  former  being  the  sliire-town.  A  similar  division  was 
made  in  the  present  county  in  1798,  when  Goshen  was  estabUshed  as 
the  shire-town,  and  coui-t  terms  alternated  with  Newburgh.f  This 
division  is  still  preserved,  and  is  the  only  practical  surviving  hnk  be- 
tween the  past  and  the  present;  an  ofi'spi-ing  of  the  wildemess  era 
vulgarly  called  "  Half-shire,"  clothed  in  figments  of  log  court  houses, 
dreary  forest  roads,  pioneer  jui'ors  and  pioneer  justice,  that  flits  to  and 
fro  in  palace  cars  and  is  seated  beside  the  judge  upon  his  bench. 

The  couri  houses  of  the  original  county  have  been  refeiTed  to.| 
Part  of  the  walls  of  the  one  erected  in  1737-'40,  are  now  included  in 
the  building  known  as  the  Orange  Hotel,  in  Goshen.  §     The  one  erect- 


*  Ante  p.  33,  43. 

t  Ante  p.  39,  40.    The  cnurts  in  Newburgh  were  held  in  the  Academy  building,  the 
upper  floor  having  been  specially  fitted  up  for  the  purpose. 

t  Ante  p.  44. 

§  The  south  end  wall  of  the  Orange  Hotel  was  the  dungeon  wall  of  the  first  court  house. 


94  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

ed  in  1773,  was  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  office  of  the  county 
clerk,  the  well  on  the  west  side  of  the  latter  building  having  stood 
about  ten  feet  from  the  rear  of  the  center  of  the  court  house.  There 
were  two  periods  in  its  architecture.  As  originally  constructed  its 
first  floor  contained  a  haU  in  the  center,  with  sheriff's  office  and 
dwelling  rooms  on  the  west,  a  dungeon  on  the  south-east,  and  a  stair- 
case on  the  north-east.  The  court  room  was  at  the  west  end  of  the 
second  floor,  the  judges' vbench  facing  the  entrance;  on  the  south-east 
were  cells  for  minor  oflenders.  The  building  was  plain,  and  without 
belfry;  its  only  ornamental  features  were  two  windows  larger  than  the 
others  and  arched,  one  over  the  fi-ont  door  on  the  north  side,  its  mate 
directly  opposite  on  the  south  side,  and  the  date  "  1773  "  worked  con- 
spicuously in  brick  on  the  east  wall  in  heu  of  the  British  crown-stone 
which  had  been  obtained  for  the  place,  but  which  Gabriel  Wisner  de- 
moHshed  with  a  hammer.*  Here  were  confined  duiing  the  Revolution 
political  ofi'enders  or  Tories,  and  prisoners  of  aU  grades;  among  others 
Joshua  Hett  Smith,  who  was  arrested  for  compHcity  in  the  treason  of 
Arnold,  and  who  presents  in  his  narrative  an  inside  view  of  the  prison 
at  that  time.  He  writes:  "  The  jail  was  fiUed  with  those  who  professed 
to  be  the  king's  fi-iends;  tories,  and  those  who  were  prisoners  of  war; 
felons,  and  characters  of  all  colors  and  descriptions.  I  was  challenged 
to  know  if  I  had  any  hand  in  the  business  of  aiding  the  tory  prisoners  to 
eff'ect  their  escape  from  the  dungeon.  These  were  a  number  of  persons 
who  were  taken  in  arms  while  going  to  join  the  king's  troops  in  Canada; 
they  were  residents  of  western  settlements  where,  the  country  being 
thinly  inhabited,  they  had  no  jails,  or  at  least  none  that  were  large  and 
strong  enough  to  contain  the  number  of  persons  who  were  captured, 
and  who  were  therefore  brought  to  this  place  for  greater  security. 
Among  them  were  some  of  the  most  daring  and  hardy  people,  belonging 
to  Colonel  Brant  and  Butler's  corps  of  whites  and  Indians.  Fifty  of 
these  were  crowded  in  a  small  cell,  which  had  a  window  grated  with 
strong  bars  of  iron,  and  a  sentinel  to  watch  it.f  Notwithstanding  his 
vigilance,  however,  some  implements  were  conveyed  to  the  prisoners, 
who,  in  the  night,  by  gentle  degrees,  picked  away  the  mortar  fi-om  the 
heavy  foundation  walls,  and,  in  the  coru-se  of  one  night,  made  an  aper- 
ture large  enough  to  admit  a  man  of  almost  any  size  to  pass  through, 
which  they  all  did  and  effected  theu-  escape.  Fortunately  a  few  days 
after,  several  persons  came  to  see  me,  as  well  on  business  as  from 
friendship,  and  they  having  interest  with  the  deputy  sheriff",  persuaded 

*  The  tradition  is  that  a  controversy  arose  in  regard  to  the  place  where  the  stone  should 
be  fixed.  Wisner,  who  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  asked  that  it  be  handed  to  him  and  he 
would  place  it  where  no  one  would  object.  Holding  the  stone  in  the  wall,  as  if  to  adjust 
it,  he  suddenly  struck  it  with  a  sledge  and  broke  it  in  fragments.  He  was  subsequently 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Minnisink. 

t  The  original  dungeon  of  this  building. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS.  95 


him  to  suffer  me  to  come  out  of  my  place  of  confinement,  and  sit  with 
them  in  the  open  court  room."  As  evening  approached,  I  took  occa- 
sion to  ask  to  visit  my  room  a  moment;  but  instead  of  doing  so, 
"when  I  came  near  the  door  of  my  prison,  I  suddenly  turned,  and 
from  a  wink  of  my  servant  went  down  a  staircase  that  was  at  the  side 
of  it,  and  without  delay  made  to  the  outer  door  of  the  jail,  which  not 
being  bolted,  I  went  out." 

The  building  was  changed  by  the  addition  of  a  third  story,  cupola 
and  bell,  al^out  the  commencement  of  the  present  century.  On  the 
new  floor  was  a  large  or  main  jail  room  at  the  south-east  corner,  and 
adjoining  it  on  the  noiih-east  was  a  dungeon  with  one  gTated  window 
so  arranged  that  it  could  be  completely  darkened.  Immediately  west 
of  these  was  a  large  hall  separating  the  rooms  on  the  east  side  from 
a  jail  room  on  the  west  and  three  other  rooms,  one  occupied  by  the 
county  clerk  and  the  surrogate,  the  others  by  a  jailor,  and  used  as 
occasion  required  for  prisoners.  The  arrangement  of  the  court  room 
was  changed,  the  bench  being  placed  on  the  northerly  side,  with  the 
prisoners'  dock  on  the  right,  and  seats  for  jurors  on  both  left  and 
right.  The  building  had  no  basement.  When  prisoners  died  in  it 
who  were  confined  for  debt,  they  were  buried  under  the  floor;  or,  if  on 
the  limits,  in  the  prison-yard.*  The  death  penalty  was  inflicted  pub- 
hcly,  outside  the  court  house  walls. f  The  building  was  without  spec- 
ial architecture.  Its  length  exceeded  its  depth ;  its  walls  were  stone; 
its  roof  was  hipped;  its  ceilings  quite  high  for  a  structure  of  that 
period.  Its  little  bell  now  calls  the  firemen  of  Goshen  to  their  duties ; 
the  old  stones  in  its  walls  are  incorjDorated  in  the  walls  of  the  present 
jail;  its  historical  associations  embrace  all  that  is  now  regarded  as 
barbarous  in  the  old  judicial  system. 

The  court  houses  now  in  use  at  Newburgh  and  Goshen  were  erected 
by  the  present  county  in  1842,  and  were  the  result  of  a  compromise 
on  the  question  of  erecting  a  new  county,  which,  had  been  agitated  at 
different  periods^  by  the  people  of  Newburgh  and  the  north-eastern 


*  Among  those  who  were  buried  under  the  floor  of  the  building  was  Major  Antill,  an 
Englishman  of  high  social  rank,  who  had  been  imprisoned  for  debt.  Under  the  law,  the 
body  was  held  until  the  debt  was  paid.  In  1875,  the  remains  of  several  persons  who  had 
been  buried  in  the  yard  were  exhumod,  in  digging  a  trench,  and  removed  elsewhere,  gain- 
ing their  final  release  from  the  old  "limits  "  through  the  mercy  of  a  laborer's  shovel.  The 
remains  were  not  identified. 

t  Claudius  Smith  was  executed  a  few  rods  in  the  rear  of  the  court  house,  at  about  the 
point  now  formed  by  the  south-west  angle  of  the  Presbyterian  church  grounds.  Teed  and 
Dunning  were  executed  in  a  field  just  out  of  town,  a  mile  or  so  south  of  the  court  house, 
near  what  is  known  as  Stewart's  woods.  Peter  Crine  was  hanged  in  the  court  room,  and 
his  execution  was  the  first  in  Orange  county  under  the  statute  decreeing  that  capital  pun- 
ishment should  be  more  privately  administered. 

%  The  first  efifort  for  a  new  county  was  made  in  1822,  when  it  was  proposed  to  give  it  the 
name  of  "  Jackson  ;"  the  second  in  1832,  when  "  Newburgh  "  was  fixed  upon  as  the 
name.  A  third  effort  was  made  in  1858 — the  new  county  to  be  called  "  Highland."  The 
two  former  were  predicated  upon  the  refusal  of  the  western  towns  to  consent  to  the  erec- 
tion of  a  court  house  at  Newburgh. 


96 


GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


towns.  Their  erection  was  inaiiafnrated  in  1839  by  an  application  to 
the  lef^islatvire,  on  the  part  of  the  board  of  supervisors,  for  authority 
to  buUd  a  new  court  house  at  Groshen.  This  proposition  was  opposed 
by  Newburgh,  and  the  passage  of  the  act  defeated.  In  December 
following  the  supervisors  at  an  extra  session  (Dec.  7)  adopted,  by  a 
vote  of  ten  to  fom-,  a  resolution  to  apply  to  the  legislature  for  power 
to  levy  a  tax  of  $30,000  on  the  county  for  the  building  of  a  court 
house  and  jail  at  Goshen  and  a  coui-t  house  and  cells  at  Newbiu'gh — 
$17,000  to  be  expended  in  the  former  and  $13,000  in  the  latter  town. 

The  act  apjjhed  for 
was  passed  by  the 
legislature  in  April 
1841,  and  the  erec- 
tion of  the  build- 
ings begun  soon 
after.  In  their  ex- 
ternal api^earancc 
they  are  alik:\  and 
we]-e  from  plans 
furnished  by  T.  M. 
N  i  V  e  n ,  architect. 
The  basement  of 
that  at  Newbiu-gh 
is  occupied  in  part 
by  cells,  which  are 
not  necessarv  at 
Goshen,  the  county  jail  being  a  separate  building  at  that  place.  The 
site  of  the  Newburgh  bviilding  was  enlarged  to  an  open  squai'e  by 
private  subscriptions  of  citizens. 

Originally  the  county  clerk  and  the  surrogate  had  their  offices  at 
their  dwellings;  subsequently  in  the  reconstmcted  court  house.  At  a 
later  period  a  clerk's  and  surrogate's  office  was  erected  on  the  west 
side  of  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  court  house  at  Goshen.  It  was 
a  small  building  of  brick,  and  was  moved  a  shoii  distance  south  in 
1842,  but  in  moving  its  walls  were  cracked,  wliich  gave  rise  to  the 
necessity  for  the  erection  of  the  present  clerk's  office,  which  was 
built  in  1851  and  occupied  in  the  fall  of  that  year.*  It  is  a  brick 
sti-uctui-e  of  one  story,  tire-proof,  and  was  occupied  for  some  years  by 
the  clerk  and  the  suiTogate.     At  the  amiual  session  of  the  super- 


COURl    HoUSK   AX    NKWUUHliH. 


*  The  resolution  for  its  construction  was  introduced  in  the  board  of  supervisors  in  tlie 
fall  of  1850,  by  R.  M.  Vail.  The  contract  was  awarded  to  Francis  Boyd,  of  Newburgh, 
architect.  The  building  committee  was  composed  of  R.  M.  Vail  of  Goshen,  James  R. 
Dickson  of  Newburgh.  and  Daniel  Fullerton  of  Wawayanda.  The  cost  of  building  and 
furniture  was  $6,250. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS.  .97 


visors  in  1873,  the  erection  of  a  building  for  the  use  of  the  surrogate 
and  the  supervisors  was  authorized,  from  plans  submitted  by  Cornelius 
Ackerman,  architect,  and  C.  M.  Thompson  and  J.  H.  Vail  appointed 
as  building  conmiittee.  TIk;  contract  was  awarded  to  Thomas  Dobbin 
of  Newburgh,  and  the  building  completed  in  the  summer  of  18*14,  at  a 
cost  of  $1,401  85.  The  structure  is  of  brick,  two  stories  high,  and 
presumed  to  be  fire-proof. 

The  support  of  the  poor  of  the  county  and  of  its  several  towns, 
with  the  exception  of  the  town  and  city  of  Newburgh,*  is  provided 
for  by  a  county  house  and  farm  sitnat'ed  about  four  miles  south  of  the 
village  of  Goshen,  on  the  road  leading  to  Florida.  In  the  early  years 
of  tlie  settlement  of  the  county,  this  support  devolved,  under  the  law 
of  1101,  upon  the  several  towns  and  precincts.f  The  relief  provided 
was  of  two  kinds:  temporary  or  special  assistance  to  the  poor,  and 
absolute  support  w  here  the  latter  was  necessar3^  In  most  cases  those 
of  the  latter  class  were  given  out  to  board  with  the  person  who,  at  the 
annual  town  meeting,  shoidd  propose  the  lowest  rate  of  compensation; 
although  in  some  cases  tenements  were  rented  for  families.  New- 
burgh and  Monroe  purchased  lands  and  erected  town  poor  houses,  but 
they  wei-e  the  exception. |  As  population  increased  and  the  nuniber 
of  paupers  liccame  greater,  the  distinction  between  town  and  county 
poor  was  established — th(^  latter  being  provided  for  by  general  tax 
upon  the  county;  and  the  Ibrmer,  which  was  administeri'd  in  the  form 
of  temporary  relief,  by  tax  upon  the  town  in  which  it  was  afforded. 
Various  methods  were  from  time  to  time  considered  for  administering 
the  support  re(|uired  ibr  permanent  paupers,  resulting  ultimately  in 
the  passage  by  the  legislature  (November  21,  1824,)  of  an  act  to  pro- 
vide for  the  establislimeiit  of  county  houses  for  Ixitli  tdwn  and  county 
poor.  Tliis  :K-t  wiis  aiiieiided  (April  4,  1828,)  by  providing  for  the 
submission  to  the  people  of  the  towns,  tit  an  annual  town  meeting,  of 
the  (piestioii  of  adopting  tiie  county  system,  and,  if  ap[)roving,  to  so 
instruct  their  supervisors  and  tile  their  action  with  the  county  clerk. 
The  people  of  Blooming-Grove;  were  the  fii-st  to  move  for  the  adoption 
of  the  system  in  Grange',  by  appointing,  at  their  town  meeting  in 
1828,  a-  committee  to  make  iiujuiry  in  regard  to  it,  and  the  {jrobuble 
expense  of  its  establishme'rit.  This  committee — composed  of  Joseph 
M'Laughlin,  Joseph  Mofllat,  and  Robert  Denniston — made  a  lengthy 
report  (Feb.  19,  1829,)  in  which  the  results  of  the  system  in  the 
county  of  Gntario  were  [iresented,  and  the  rapidly  increasing  poor 
rates  of  the  county  dwelt  upon — the  expense  of  supporting  the  town 


*  Newburgli  \vithdi-ew  from  the  county  system  by  act  of  March  13,  1853. 
t  Ante  p.  33. 

X  Report,  March  23,  1829.    In  some  instances  the  poor  were  sold  for  their  own  support. 

07 


98  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


and  county  poor  durin 

^  the  previous  year  having  been 

as  follows: 

Tax  for 

Tax  for 

Tax  for 

Tax  for 

County  Poor. 

Town  Poor. 

County  Poor 

.    Town  Poor. 

WallkiU, 

$1,063  08 

$1,000 

New  Windsor,        $li9  48 

$700 

Deerpark, 

359  59 

Montgomery,            167  82 

1,000 

Minnisink, 

332  25 

400 

Crawford,                 119  39 

400 

Warwick, 

122  84 

900 

Calhoun,                   208  42 

250 

Monroe, 

321  65 

350 

Newburgh,               263  24 

500 

Blooming-Grove, 

185  54 

700 

Goshen,                    391  98 

750 

Cornwall, 

262  15 

450 

3,917  93  7,400 

Whole  annual  expense,  $11,317  93 

It  was  thought  that  this  expense  could  be  greatly  reduced  and  a  better 
support  provided  by  the  new  system,  the  cost  of  the  establishment  of 
which  was  estimated  at  $10,190.  The  committee  suggested  a  meeting 
of  delegates  from  the  several  towns,  wliich  was  held  on  their  call  at 
Goshen  on  the  22d  of  March — John  McGarral)  of  Monroe,  chairman, 
and  Stacey  Beakes  of  Wallkill,  secretary.  This  meeting  approved  the 
county  system,  and  requested  the  officers  of  the  different  towns  to 
submit  the  question  to  the  electors  at  the  ensuing  town  meetings.  The 
question  was  accordingly  submitted,  and,  the  towns  consenting,  the 
board  of  supervisors  met  at  Goshen  in  October  to  take  such  further 
action  as  was  retpiired.  At  tliis  meeting  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  consider  and  report;  and  at  a  subseipient  meeting,  in  November,  full 
powers  were  given  a  conunittee  to  purchase  a  site,  witli  tlie  necessary 
land,  and  proceeil  with  the  erection  of  buildings.  On  the  (Uh  of  F('l)ru- 
ary,  1S30,  th(>  proposals  for  erecting  the  buiklings  were  opened  and  the 
contract  awarded  to  John  II.  Corwin  and  Samuel  Bull  of  Wallkill,  fu- 
ll,289.  As  the  general  act  authorized  the  expenditure  of  .ft, 000  only 
for  laud  and  buildings,  application  w;is  at  once  made  t(.»  the  legishdure 
for  power  to  raise  $5,000  additional;  and  subsequently  for  $1,000  for 
land.*  At  their  November  meeting  (1829,)  the  supervisors  appointed 
the  f  illowing  persi)ns  as  the  tirst  board  of  superintendents:  Gilbert 
Holmes  of  Newburgh;  Jesse  Wood,  Jr.,  of  Warwick;  Daniel  ('orwin 
of  Wallkill,  and  William  Smith  and  John  Wilson  of  Goshen,  who  ap- 
pointed (Nov.)  Festus  A.  Webb,  of  Minnisink,  keeper,  at  a  salary  of 
$500. 1  The  terms  of  the  general  law  were  fully  complied  with  on 
the  29th  of  March,  1831,  when  the  house  was  opened,  and  the  dis- 
tinction between  town  and  county  poor  abolished  except  in  temporary 
reli(>f  which  was  continued  by  the  towns.  During  the  eight  months 
embraced  in  the  first  report  of  the  superintendents,  432  persons  were 
relieved. at  an  expense  of  $5,589  88;  and  the  apparent  economy  of 
the  system  slu)wn  in  the  statement  that  for  the  support  of  the  county 
poor   alone,  from  December    1,    1830,  to  March   31,   1831,  had   been 


*  The  first  act  was  passed  March  3, 1830;  the  second  February  5,  1833. 

t  Five  superintendents  were  appointed  until  1838 ;  after  that  and  until  1857,  three.— 
In  1857  the  number  was  reduced  to  one  to  be  elected  by  the  people.  James  O.  Adams 
was  then  chosen. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS.  99 


$4,894  22.  *  The  cost  of  the  house,  with  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  acres  of  land,"}"  was  $12,000.  The  original  building  has  been 
improved  and  others  erected  at  different  times,  and  the  property  now 
embraces  the  main  asyhun,  erected  in  1830,  50  by  150  feet,  three 
stories  and  a  half  high,  with  accommodations  for  three  hundred  per- 
sons; a  lunatic  asyhim  adjoining  on  the  north-west,  erected  in  1848  by 
Riley  &  McF'arr,  30  by  50  feet,  with  accommodations  for  about  thirty 
lunatics;  a  separate  building  on  the  south  for  colored  people,  erected 
in  1865  by  B.  H.  Corwin,  with  accommodations  for  on((  hundred  per- 
sons.|  Adjoining  the  original  asylum  on  the  north-west  is  the  new 
asylum  for  the  custody  and  care  of  the  chronic  insane,  furnished  with 
all  modern  conveniences — the  first  of  its  kind  erected  in  the  state. 
Its  constriu'-tion  was  authorized  by  the  board  of  supervisors,  whose 
attention  was  called  to  its  nec(!ssity  by  J.  H.  Goodale,  superintendent, 
at  a  special  session  held  August  12,  1874,  when  the  board  appointed 
Messrs.  D.  Thompson,  1).  M.  Wade,  and  M.  Shuit,  a  committee  to  ex- 
aiiiine  the  matter,  who  reported  (Dec.  2),  that  the  representations 
which  had  been  made  by  Mr.  Goodale  were  iully  sustained;  that  at 
the  county  house  thirty  insarm  persons  were  coidined  to  fifteen  rooms; 
that  additional  room  was  absolutely  required;  that  the  annual  expense 
of  maintenance  in  state  asylums  of  thirty-eight  persons  was  $7,024, 
and  that  it  was  believed  this  sum  could  be  largely  reduced  and  at  the 
same  time  the  inmates  of  the  lioiise  be  better  cared  lor  b}'  the  erec- 
tion of  an  additional  luiilding  of  sufticient  size  to  accoiiiniodate  all 
the  chronic  insane  ol'  the  county. 

The  report  was  accepted  and  the  erection  of  the  proposed  building 
voted.  Plans  submitted  by  John  C.  Sloat,  architect,  were  adopted, 
and  Messrs.  Owen,  Bell,  and  Shuit,  of  the  board,  and  J.  H.  Goodale, 
superintendent,  appointed  building  committee.  The  contract  for  the 
building  was  awarded  to  Thonuis  Dobbin  of  Newburgh;  and  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  June  11,  1875.  The  dimensions  of  the  building 
are:  length,  eighty  feet;  width,  forty  feet;  height,  four  and  a  half 
stories;  height  of  ceilings  average  ten  feet;  walls  hard-finished 
throughout.  A  corridor  fourteen  feet  wide  traverses  each  story,  and 
the  rooms,  each  ten  feet  ten  inches  deep  by  seven  feet  in  width,  are 
arranged  on  either  side.  It  will  accommodate  about  one  hundred  per- 
sons. The  cost  of  the  structure  was  provided  for  by  certificates  of 
indebtedness,  issued  by  the  board  (jf  supervisors  for  $20,000,  payable 
$5,000  annually.  The  farm  now  contains  two  hundred  acd  sixty- 
three  acres,  of  which  two  hundred  are  tillable,  and  is   supplied  with 


*  The  poor  were  first  brought  to  the  house  from  the  different  towns  in  April,  1831. 

t  Subsequently  increased  to  2C3  acres. 

X  These  buildings  are  all  of  stone  quarried  on  the  farm. 


100  'GENEE4L  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

all  necessary  out-building-s.  The  present  valuation  of  the  estate  is 
about  $^0,000. 

The  first  board  of  supervisors  of  the  present  county  assembled  at 
Goshen,  May  28,  1198,  and  was  composed  of  John  Vail,  Goshen; 
Francis  Crawford,  New  Windsor;  Reuben  Tooker,  Newburg-h;  Anse- 
lem  Helme,  Cornwall;  Jacobus  Post,  Warwick;  Nathan  Arnout,  Min- 
nisink;  James  Finch,  Deerpark;  David  Galatian,  Montgomery,  and 
Andrew  McCord,  Wallkill.  The  business  of  the  session  was  confined 
to  the  audit  of  accounts.  In  the  course  of  its  subsequent  history 
there  are  few  salient  points.  It  has  erected  three  towns:  Greenville, 
Wawayanda,  and  Highlands ;  improved  one  and  constructed  two  court 
houses — of  the  latter,  one  at  Goshen  with  jail,  and  one  at  Newburgh 
with  cells;  two  county  clerk's  offices,  and  a  surrogate's  office,  at  Go- 
shen, a  county  almshouse  and  a  county  asylum  for  the  insane.  In 
its  expenditures  it  has  been  prudent — perhaps  in  the  character  of  its 
public  buildings,  too  prudent;  but  it  has  never  suffered  the  credit  of 
the  county  to  be  impaii'ed,  or  its  people  to  be  oppressed  by  taxation 
where  the  assessment  was  under  its  control.  With  its  powers  en- 
larged and  entering  upon  a  new  political  ern,  its  future  will  not  be 
without  more  marked  infltience. 

Aside  from  the  intangible  reality  of  civil  administration,  the  his- 
tory of  the  county,  as  sucli,  is  necessarily  limited.  It  has  not  made 
roads,  constructed  bridges,  or  in  any  manner  controlled  or  directed 
the  industry  or  the  enterprise  of  tlie  [)eoi>le;  the  aggregated  char- 
acter which  for  a  time  it  enjoyed  in  the  election  of  representatives 
by  general  ticket,  has  been  taken  away;  county  associations,  which 
were  the  necessity  of  sparse  population,  no  longer  remain,  or  have 
only  a  nominal  existence;  tiie  county  as  a  county  rarely  appears. 
Nevertheless,  it  has  annals  which  may  be  suimnarized:  the  character- 
istics of  its  people,  and  their  products.  It  may  be  said  of  the  formei- 
that  they  were  peculiarly  educated;  that  the  presence  among  them 
of  some  of  the  purest  leaders  of  the  Revolution,  the  addition  to  their 
numbers  as  permanent  residents  ol"  many  who  had  served  in  the  con- 
tinental army,  the  memory  ol'  their  own  neighbors  wlio  had  fallen  at 
Port  Montgomery  and  ;it  Minnisink,  and  on  other  battle-fields,  had  an 
influence  for  generations;  that  sinlerioi-  to  tliese  considerations  their 
fathers  in  many  cases  had  been  large  sufferers  in  the  monarchial  wars 
of  Kurope,  and  had  transmitted  that  hatred  of  kingly  govermnents 
and  that  appreciation  of  republics  wlijch  their  experience  had  taught 
them.  Whatever  the  cause,  it  may  be  assumed,  without  the  dispar- 
agement of  other  counties,  that  they  have  a  marked  individuality  in 
their  love  of  country  and  tlieir  sensitiveness  to  whatever  detracts 
from  its  reputation  or  threatens  its  integrity. 


GENERAL  SUMMARY.  101 


Not  less  than  for  love  of  i-omitr}'  are  they  individualized  for  their 
intelligence  and  the  encouragement  which  they  have  extended  to 
educational  inHuences.  The  early  settlers  were  mainly  Christians, 
and  brought  with  thcni  tlicir  Bibles  and  their  religions  and  secular 
teachers.  Presbyterianisin,  in  some  of  its  classilications,  was  the  con- 
trolling faith;  Episcopalianism,  its  efficient  associate.  The  (Jermans 
from  the  Palatinate  of  the  Rhine,  worshiped  in  the  Lutheran  faith  at 
Newburgh  in  1709;  Presbyterianisin  was  established  at  Goshen  in 
1721,  and  at  Bethlehem  (Cornwidl),  in  1730;  the  Church  of  England 
enM'ted  the  Parish  of  New  Windsor  in  1733,  and  established  congre- 
gations in  Newburgh,  in  llamptouburgh,  and  in  Montgomery;  the 
Reiormed  Dutch  church  was  established  in  the  Miiinisink  capital; 
Maghaghkeinek  church  was  erected  perhaps  anterior  to  those  already 
natued.*  Wherever  population  centered  the  foundations  of  moral  influ- 
ence, through  religious  worship,  were  laid.  In  no  county  has  this 
influence  been  more  fully  sustained,  the  census  of  1865  returning  115 
churches  to  a  population  of  70,000,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  47,584 — 
a  ratio  higher  than  that  of  the  city  of  New  York.  In  this  connection 
it  may  l)e  said  that  in  their  religious  associations  the  people  df  the 
county  are  remarkably  conservative.  There  are  six  Baptist  churches, 
two  01d-scho(jl  Baptist,  four  Friends,  forty-four  Methodist,  thirty-one 
Presbyterian,  four  United  Presbyterian,  nine  Episcopal,  seven  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch,  five  Roman  Cath()lic,f  one  Unitarian,  and  of  other 
modern  sects  none.  The  schools  of  the  county  have  kept  pace  with 
its  churches,  and  show  the  same  comparative  preponderance;  the  cir- 
culation of  its  newspapers  is  about  one  to  every  five  of  its  inhabi- 
tants—a ratio  higher  than  that  of  Albany,  the  capital  county  of  tlie 
state. 

To  the  influences  recited  it  is  indebted  for  the  long  list  of  distin- 
guished men  which  it  has  given  to  the  pul)lic  service;  men  whose 
birthplace  was  under  the  shadow  of  its  hills  or  in  the  valleys  of  its 
streams;  who  were  nurtured  by  its  patriotism,  its  intelligence,  its 
morality;  whose  lives  are  an  epic  of  bravery  and  illustrious  actions. 
Nor  yet  for  these  alone:  its  representatives  in  jurisprudence,  litera- 
ture, science,  and  the  arts, — where  blazing  comet  bears  to  unknown 
realms  of  space  the  name  of  its  discoverer,  or  the  hand  of  man  gath- 
ers up  the  atmosphere  and  from  day  to  day  reveals  its  changes;  its 


*  In  1742  there  were  four  churches  on  the  Delaware  :  the  Walpack  church,  in  the  Wal- 
pack  bend  of  the  river — removed  in  1815  ;  the  Shapenac  chui-ch,  seven  miles  above — re- 
moved prior  to  1818 ;  the  Minnisink  church,  twelve  miles  further  on  ;  and  eight  miles  fur- 
ther up,  in  the  forks  of  the  Delaware  and  Neversink,  the  Maghaghkemek  church— burned 
by  Brant  in  1779,  rebuilt,  and  removed  about  the  time  Port  Jervis  was  settled.  They 
were  all  on  the  line  of  the  old  mine-road.  Johannes  Casparus  Fi-eycnmoot  was  in  charge 
in  1744.     Ho  was  a  minister  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

t  Several  churches  have  been  established  since  1865 ;  among  others  three  Catholic. 


102  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

brighter  gems  iu  lowly  ranks,  whose  lessons  of  virtue  are  graven  on 

the  hearts  of  its  sons — 

"Pointing  to  such,  well  might  Coi-nelia  say, 
When  the  rich  casket  shone  in  bright  array, 
'  These  are  my  jewels  ! '  " 

Thrift  follows  perhaps  as  a  natural  sequence  of  the  considerations 
already  stated.  There  are  but  six  counties  in  the  state  whose  valua- 
tions are  higher,  viz:  Albany,  Kings,  New  York,  Ononadaga,  and 
Westchester;  but  six  whose  assessed  personal  estate  exceeds  that 
of  Orange,  viz:  Duchess,  Erie,  Kings,  New  York,  Rensselaer,  and 
Westchester;  and  but  six  whose  assessed  value  of  real  estate  is 
higher,  viz:  Albany,  Erie,  Kings,  New  York,  Onondaga,  and  West- 
chester. In  other  words:  throwing  out  the  large  centers  of  popula- 
tion, the  county  of  Orange  is  the  most  wealthy  in  the  state.*  Its 
number  of  neat  cattle  (54,386),  is  only  exceeded  by  six  counties;  its 
annual  product  of  butter  (2,363,661  lbs),  by  five  counties;  its  gallons 
of  milk  sent  to  market  (8,835,053),  by  one  county;  its  product  of  pork 
(3,615,780  lbs),  by  live  counties.  It  has  $334,146  invested  in  flouring 
mills,  whose  product  is  only  exceeded  by  ten  counties;  $900,000  in 
furnaces  for  reducing  ore,  in  which  it  is  exceeded  by  only  two  coun- 
ties; $140,000  iu  cotton  mills,  whose  product  is  exceeded  by  only 
three  counties;  $255,000  in  lumber  mills,  whose  product  ($1,336,525) 
is  not  exceeded  by  any  county.f  And  yet  the  development  of  the 
resources  of  the  county  is  in  its  infancy;  its  reservoirs  of  water  are 
but  partially  employed;  its  lacustrial  lands  but  partially  reclaimed; 
its  mineral  wealtli  but  partially  ascertained.  Specialties  in  the  pro- 
ducts of  the  county  are  the  quality  of  its  butter  and  milk,  and  its 
breed  of  horses.  In  regard  to  the  manufacture  of  the  former,  no 
special  method  is  employed;  its  superiority  is  from  the  soil  and  the 
rain-falls,  which  develop  peculiar  qualities  in  the  grasses.  Though 
celebrated  in  Europe  and  in  America  at  an  early  period,  the  genuine 
is  now  as  little  known  to  consumers  as  are  the  pure  wines  of  France. 
Three  millions  of  pounds  will  scarce  supply  the  city  of  New  York 
for  a  single  week.     Millions  of  pounds  bearing  its  name  but  not  its 


*  Comparative  statistics  can 

be  consulted. 

The  following  figures,  however, 

are  regard- 

ed  as  sufficient : 

Population 

Acres 

Value 

Value 

Aggregate 

Counties. 

1870 

imp.  land. 

Eeal  Est. 

Pers.  Est. 

Valuation, 

Albany, 

133,108 

267,034 

$38,557,176 

$7,535,171 

$46,092,344 

Duchess, 

74,156 

361.344 

20,927,018 

8,225,233 

30,132,151 

Erie, 

175,582 

407,302 

43,392,351 

8,155,240 

51,538,598 

Eensselaer, 

99,551 

290,209 

21,720,013 

7,796,515 

29,516,528 

Ulster, 

84,008 

253,695 

10,788,112 

2,364,616 

13,152,727 

Orange, 

78,026 

303,858 

23,339,358 

7,575,049 

30,914,407 

t  The  statistics  of  the  census  of  1875  may  vary  these  figures,  but  the  conclusions  drawn 
from  tlicni  will  not,  it  is  believed,  be  materially  affected.  Some  of  the  industries  of  the 
county  will  ]n;  decreased,  and  others  enlarged.  The  product  of  milk  will  be  increased 
very  largely. 


TOWN  BOUNDARIES.  IQB 


quality  are  sent  to  market.  Its  breed  of  horses  has  become  familiar 
throughout  civilized  countries.  In  the  early  period  of  settlement  the 
Dutch  of  the  Esopus  country  imported  a  breed,  which  was  spread 
througli  the  valley  of  the  Wallkill,  and  indeed  over  the  entire  dis- 
trict.* Subsequent  importations  improved  it;  but  it  was  reserved  for 
the  combinations  in  "  Hambletonian"  to  produce  a  progeny  whose  ex- 
ploits may  well  challeng'e  for  their  sire  the  position  of  father  of  Ameri- 
can trotters.  The  perfection  of  his  breed,  however,  appears  only 
when  crossed  with  American  Star,'\  an  Orange  county  horse  whose 
fame,  if  less  brilliant  during  his  life,  is  inseparably  linked  with  that 
of  his  successor. 

Of  the  population  of  the  county  43,997  were  born  within  its  limits; 
8,891  in  other  counties  of  the  state;  8,247  in  Ireland,  and  3,789  in 
other  foreign  countries.  The  eastern  states  contribute  to  it  991 ;  the 
middle  states  3,673;  the  westei-n  states  213;  and  the  southern  states 
234.  The  county  contributes  to  other  counties  of  the  state  15,322, 
viz:  Albany  136,  Alleghany  130,  Broome  345,  Cattaraugus  101,  Cayu- 
ga 323,  Chatauqua  140,  Chemung  1225,  Chenango  107,  Clinton  8, 
Columbia  67,  Cortl-and  163,  Delaware  71,  Duchess  713,  Erie  125,  Essex 
43,  Franklin  2,  Fult(m  6,  Genesee  72,  Greene  54,  Hamilton  1,  Herki- 
mer 13,  Jeft'erson  27,  Kings  1335,  Lewis  24,  Livingston  94,  Madison  31, 
M(mroe  177,  Montgimiery  28,  New  York  1954,  Niagara  71,  Oneida  55, 
Onondaga  198,  Ontario  227,  Orleans  59,  Oswego  58,  Otsego  34,  Put- 
nam 219,  Queens  91,  Eensselaer  80,  Richmond  36,  Rockland  605,  St. 
Lawrence  8,  Saratoga  48,  Schenectady  15,  Schuyler  370,  Seneca  204, 
Steuben  511,  Suffolk  102,  Sullivan  1640,  Tioga  752,  Tompkins  434, 
Ulster  1059,  Warren  5,  Washington  15,  Wayne  176,  Westchester  402, 
Wyoming  44,  Yates  291. 

The  towns  composing  the  county,  whose  history  we  are  now  to 
consider,  were  given  their  boundaries  under  the  act  of  April  3,  1801, | 
These  boundaries,  and  those  of  the  tonws  subsequently  organized, 
are  given  in  connection  with  a  brief  summary  of  the  facts  already 
presented  in  regard  to  prior  organization,  viz: 

Blooming-Grove — formed  from  Cornwall,  March  23,  1779.  Bounda- 
ries 1801:  "All  that  part  of  the  county  of  Orange  beginning  in  the 
south  bounds  of  the  town  of  New  Windsor  at  the  north-east  corner  of 
a  tract  of  land  commonly  called  Van  Dam's  patent,  and  then  along  the 
east  bounds  of  the  said  patent  to  the  south-east  corner  thereof,  thence 


*  The  facetious  Diedrich  Knickerbocker  says  that  the  Dutch  "quality"  of  New  York 
bought  their  switch-tails  at  Esopus.  The  reputation  of  Esopus  horses,  however,  rests 
upon  the  more  substantial  authority  of  Smith's  History  of  New  York. 

t  Hambletonian  colts  from  American  Star  mares  are  worth  $1000  as  soon  as  weaned. 
No  other  stock  commands  so  high  a  price. 

X  Ante  p.  40,  41. 


104  GENERAL  IITSTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

south-east  until  it  comes  to  the  top  of  Srlioniiinoiik  mountain,  thence 
sontli-westerly  along-  the  U•,]^  of  said  mountain  to  the  line  connnonly 
called  the  north-west  line,*  thence  north-west  along  said  line  to  the 
division  line  betwe(Mi  the  patent  of  Wawayanda  and  Chesecocks, 
thence  along-  the  said  lino  to  llio  town  of  Warwick,  thence  north- 
wardly along-  the  lino  of  tli<-  towns  of  Warwick  and  (Joshen  to  the 
lin<'  of  the  town  of  Wallkill,  and  llicnce  east  ak)ng  the  said  lino  and 
the  line  of  the  town  of  New  Windsor  to  the  place  of  beginning-." 

Monroe — formed  from  (■ornwall  under  the  name  of  ('hesecocks, 
March  23,  1799;  name  changed  to  Southlields,  1S()2,  and  to  Monroe, 
Ai)ril  6.  1808.  Bountlaries  1801:  "  All  that  part  of  the  said  county  x>f 
Orang-e,  beg-inning  in  the  east  line  of  (lie  town  oi"  Warwick,  at  the 
southerly  corner  of  the  town  of  Hlooining--(!rove,  and  thence  southerly 
along-  the  said  line  of  tlie  town  of  Warwick  to  tiie  liiu'  of  the  state 
of  New  Jersey,  thence  along  the  said  line  to  the  county  of  Kocklaml, 
thence  along"  the  said  county  of  Rockland  to  the  mouth  of  Poplopen's 
kill  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  river,  thence  a.  direct  line  to  the 
south-east  corner  of  the  town  of  Blooming'-Grove,  and  thence  along" 
the  same  to  the  place  of  beg'inning"."  f 

Cornwall — formed  from  the  precinct  of  Goshen,  as  the  precinct  of 
Ne-w  Cornwall,  Sept.  20,  17()4;|  erect(>d  as  the  town  of  New  Corn-, 
wall,  March  7,  1788;  named  changed  to  Cornwall,  March  8,  1797. 
Bt)undaries  1801:  "All  that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Orange  bound- 
ed northerly  by  New  Windsor,  westerly  by  Chesecocks  and  Blooming"- 
Grove,  southerly  by  Chesecocks  and  the  bounds  of  the  county,  and 
easterly  by  the  middle  of  Hudson's  river." 

Goshen — formed  from  the  precinct  of  Goshen,  Sept.  20,  1764;  erect- 
ed as  the  town  of  Goshen,  March  7,1788.  Boundaries  1801:  "All 
that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Orang'e  bounded  easterly  by  Blooming-- 
Grt)ve,  northerly  by  the  town  of  Wallkill,  westerly  by  the  middle  of 
the  Wallkill,  and  southerly  by  the  creek  commonly  called  Quaker's 
creek  from  where  it  falls  into  the  Wallkill  on  the  south-westerlj'  side 
of  the  great  island  in  the  drowned  lands  to  the  road  leading-  across 
the  g-rist-mill  dam  of  William  Thompson  esquire,  thence  along  the 
southerly  side  of  the  xaid  road  running  towards  Sugar-loaf  mountain 
to  the  northerly  line  of  tiie  plantation  late  of  Samuel  Rayuer  deceased, 
and  thence  along  said  line  easterly  to  the  south-west  corner  of  a  large 
tract  of  land  commoidy   called   Rutgers'  tract,  and  thence  easterly 


*  The  lino  given  to  the  Wawayanda  patent. 

t  The  board  of  supervisors,  by  act  of  December  1st,  18()3,  divided  the  town  into  three 
towns:  Monroe,  Sontlifield,  and"  Highland.  The  act  was  repealed  by  the  Legislature  in 
1H(>5.  In  tlie  nieantinie  tlie  towns  were  organized  ;  their  supervisors  "met  witli  tlie  iinnual 
session  of  the  board  in  18(14. 

t  Ante  p.  3(i. 


TOWN  BOUNDARIES.  105 


along  the  south  boniids  of  the  said  tract  to  tlie  foot  of  the  said  Sugar- 
loaf  mountain,  and  then  an  east  course  to  tlie  bounds  of  Blooming- 
Grove." 

Warwick — fonued  fioin  the  precinct  of  Goshen,  March  7,  1788. 
Boundaries  1801:  "All  that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Orange  bound- 
ed easterly  by  Chesecocks  and  Blooming-Grove,  southerly  by  the  state 
of  New  Jersey,  westerly  by  the  middle  of  the  VVallkill,  and  northerly 
by  Goshen." 

MiNNisiNK — formed  from  tlic  pn-cinct  of  (xoshen,  March  7,  1788. 
Bound:i,ries  1801:  "All  that  part  of  tlie  said  county  of  Orange  bound- 
ed easterly  l>y  tlie  middh'  of  the  Wallkill,  southerly  by  New  Jersey, 
westerly  by  the  Delaware  river,*  and  northerly  by  the  biwnsof  Wall- 
kill  and  Deerpark." 

Nkw  VVindsok — formed  iVom  the  precinct  of  llighl;inds,|  December 
11,  1702;  erected  as  a  b)wn  March  7,  1788.  Boundaries  1801:  "All 
that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Orange  bounded  easterly  by  the  mid- 
dle of  Hudson's  river,  southerly  by  an  east  and  west  line  from  the 
mouth  of  Murderer's  creek,  and  westerly  and  northerly  by  a  line  be- 
ginning at  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  river  at  the  mouth  of  Quassaick 
creek,  and  running  from  thence  along  the  south  bounds  of  a  tract  of 
land  commonly  called  German  patent  and  the  southerly  bounds  of  a 
tract  of  land  granted  to  Alexander  Baird  and  Company  to  the  east 
bounds  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  to  Cadwallader  Golden, 
and  then  across  the  same  to  the  most  northerly  corner  of  the  land 
granted  to  Patrick  Hume,  and  thence  along  the  westerly  bounds 
thereof  to  the  lands  granted  to  Patrick  McKnight,  and  then  along  the 
same  south-easterly  and  south-westerly  to  the  southerly  corner  thereof, 
and  then  continuing  the  last  mentioned  line  to  tlie  town  of  Blooming- 
Grove  so  as  b)  include  the  lands  formerly  of  Fletcher  Matthews." 

Newburgh — formed  from  the  precinct  of  Highlands,  December  11, 
1702;  erected  as  a  town  March  7,  1788.  Boundaries  1801:  "All  that 
part  of  the  said  county  of  Orange  bounded  easterly  by  the  middle  of 
Hudson's  river,  southerly  by  New  Windsor,  westerly  by  the  east 
bounds  of  the  tract  of  land  granted  to  Cadwallader  Colden,  and  the 
east  bounds  of  one  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  bi  John  Johnson, 
and  the  east  bounds  of  three  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  to  Henry 
Wileman,  and  the  east  bounds  of  three  thousand  five  hundred  acres 
of  land  granted  to  Rip  Van  Dam  and  others,  and  northerly  by  a  line 
beginning  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  river  at  the  north-east  corner 
of  a  tract  of  land  granted  to  Francis  Harrison  and  Company,  called  the 


*  The  section  lying  on  the  Delaware,  west  of  the  Shawangunk  mountains,  was  attached 
to  Deerpark  by  act  of  Feb.  15,  1825.     (See  Mount  Hope.) 
t  Ante  p.  36,  37,  38,  39. 


106  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 

five  llumsaud  ucrc  tract,  and  running-  from  thonco  cast  to  the  middle 
of  Hudson's  river,  and  westerly  along  tlic  north  bounds  of  tlic  said 
tract  and  the  north  hounds  of  another  tract  granted  to  the  said  Francis 
Harrison  lo  Ihc  tract  of  huid  commonly  called  Wallace's  tract,  then 
along-  tlic  lines  of  the  same  northerly  and  westerly  to  the  north- 
easterly bounds  oi'  a  tract  of  land  granted  to  Jacobus  Kij),  John 
Cruger  and  others,  conunonly  called  Kip  and  Cruger's  tract,  then 
westerly  along  the  north-easterly  and  northerly  bounds  theret)f  to  the 
north-west  corner  thereof,  and  then  westerly  to  the  north-east  corner 
of  the  said  tract  of  three  tliousand  live  hundred  acres  of  land  granted 
to  Rip  Van  Dam  and  others." 

Wali.kill— formed  iVom  the  precinct  of  Wallkill,*  March  24,  1772; 
erected  as  a  town  March  7,  1788.  Boundaries  ISOI:  "All  that  part 
of  the  said  county  of  Orange  bounded  easterly  by  New  Windsor,  f 
southerly  l)y  a  west  line  from  the  mouth  of  Murderer's  creek,  westerly 
by  Shawangunk  kill,  and  nrotlierly  by  the  line  conunonly  called  the 
old  north-west  line." 

Montgomery — formed  from  the  precinct  of  Wallkill,  under  the  name 
of  the  precinct  of  Hanover,  March  24,  1772;  name  changed  to  the 
precinct  of  Montgomery,  1782;  erected  as  a  town  March  7,  1788. 
Boundaries  1801:  "All  that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Orange  bound- 
ed eastcn'ly  by  New  Windsor  and  Newburgh,  southerly  by  the  town 
of  Wallkill,  westerly  b}^  Shawangunk  kill,  |  and  northerly  by  a  line 
begimiing  at  the  north-east  corner  of  a  tract  of  three  thousand  acres 
of  land  granti'd  to  Henry  Wileman,  and  running  thence  along  the 
north  bounds  thereof  to  the  Paltz  river,  conuTionly  called  the  Wall- 
kill,  and  then  southerly  up  the  same  river  to  the  south-west  corner 
of  a  tract  of  four  thousand  acres  of  land  granted  to  Oerardus 
Beekman  and  others,  and  then  westerly  and  northerly  along  the 
southerly  and  westerly  bounds  thereof  to  the  north-west  corner 
thereof,  and  then  north-westerly  along  the  north  bounds  of  the 
lands  granted  to  Jeremiah  Schuyler  and  Company  to  the  Shawan- 
gunk kill  aforesaid." 

Deerpark — formed  from  the  precinct  of  Maghaghkemek;  subse- 
quently included  in  the  precinct  of  Mamakating;  §  erected  as  a  town 
April  5,  1798.  Boundaries  1801:  "  All  that  part  of  the  said  county  of 
Orange  beginning  on  the  Shawangunk  kill  at  the  south-west  corner 
of  the  town  of  Wallkill,  ||  and  running  thence  along  the  said  kill, 
being  the  boundary  line  of  the  said  town  of  Wallkill,  to  the  north 
part  of  the  farm  now  or  latel}^  occupied   by  Joseph  Wood,  junior, 


*  Ante  p.  37,  38,  39.  t  Now  by  Hamptouburgli. 

t  Now  by  Crawford.  §  Ante  p.  3G,  38. 

II  Now  the  south-east  corner  of  Mount  Hope. 


TOWN  BOUNDARIES.  107 


thence  west  to  the  river  Mougaap,  then  along  the  said  river  Mongaap 
as  it  runs  to  the  Delaware  river,  then  along  the  said  river  to  the  town 
of  Minnisink,  and  thence  along  the  northern  boundary  of  the  said  town 
of  Minnisink  to  the  place  of  beginning." 

Crawford — formed  froni  the  town  of  Montgomery,  March  4,  1823. 
Boundaries:  "All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Montgomery,  in  the  county 
of  Orange,  lying  west  of  a  certain  line,  beginning  on  the  line  between 
the  town  of  Wallkill,  in  said  county,  and  the  town  of  Montgomery 
aforesaid;  at  the  south-west  corner  of  a  tract  of  hve  tliousand  acres 
of  land,  called  the  tive  thousand  acre  patent;  and  running  thence 
north-east,  on  the  south-west  side  of  the  said  five  thousand  acre  patent, 
to  the  south-west  corner  of  the  tract  of  ten  thousand  acres  of  land, 
called  the  ten  thousand  acre  patent;  thence  northwardly,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  said  ten  thousand  acre  patent,  till  it  strikes  the  center  of  a 
turnpike  road  leading  from  the  village  of  Montgomeiy  to  the  falls  of 
the  Neversink  river,  called  the  '  Orange  and  Ulster  branch  turnpike 
road,'  thence  northwardly,  on  a  direct  line  to  a  small  bridge,  erected 
across  the  old  stage  road  leading  from  the  village  of  Montgomery,  in 
the  county  of  Orange,  to  the  village  of  Kingston,  in  the  county  of 
Ulster,  near  the  west  end  of  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Adam  Dickerson,  in  the  said  town  of  Montgomery;  thence  north- 
wardly, from  the  said  bridge  on  the  center  of  the  old  stage  road,  until 
it  intersects  the  line  between  the  said  town  of  Montgomery,  and  the 
town  of  Shawangunk,  in  the  county  of  Ulster."  The  first  town  meet- 
ing was  held  at  the  house  of  Edward  Schoonniaker. 

Mount  Hope — formed  as  the  town  of  Calhoun,  from  the  towns  of 
Wallkill  and  Deerpark,  February  15,  1825;*  name  changed  to  Mount 
Hope,  March  14,  1833.  Boundaries  1825:  All  that  part  of  the  town 
of  Deerpark  lying  south-easterly  of  the  befu'e  mentioned  line  (see 
note),  and  tliat  part  of  the  town  of  Wallkill  within  the  following 
bounds,  to  wit:  beginning  at  the  easterly  corner  of  the  town  of  Deer- 
park,  and  at  the  south-easterly  corner  of  the  county  of  Sullivan,  and 
runs  thence  due  east  to  the  easterly  line  of  the  Deerpark  patent, 


*  This  act  is  entitled  "An  act  to  divide  the  towns  of  Wallkill,  Minnisink,  and  Deerpark." 
That  part  relating  to  Minnisink  and  Deerpark  is  as  follows:  "  That  from  and  after  the 
passage  of  this  act,  all  that  part  of  the  towns  of  Minnisink  and  Deerpark,  lying  westerly 
and  north-westerly  of  the  following  lines,  to  wit:  beginning  on  the  line  of  the  town  of 
Deerpark,  and  the  line  of  the  county  of  Sullivan,  where  the  west  Une  of  the  second 
division  of  the  Minnisink  patent  crosses  the  same;  thence  south-westerly  along  the  said 
west  line  of  second  division  of  the  Minnisink  patent  to  the  old  Jersey  claim  line  and 
south-westerly  corner  of  said  division;  thence  southerly  along  said  Jersey  claim  hue 
thirty  chains;  thence  south-westerly  through  the  town  of  Minnisink  to  the  Now  Jersey 
state  hue,  to  strike  or  intersect  the  same  one  hundred  chains  from  the  Delaware  river, 
at  Station  or  Carpenters  point,  to  be  a  separate  town,  by  the  name  of  Deerpark,  and 
that  the  first  town  meeting  be  held  at  the  house  of  Cornelius  Cuddeback,  in  said  town, 
on  the  first  Tuesday  of  March  next  (1826);  and  all  that  part  of  the  town  of  Minnisink 
lying  south-easterly  of  said  line,  to  be  and  remain  a  separate  town,  by  the  name  of  Min- 
nisink, and  that  tho  first  town  meeting  be  held  at  the  house  of  Gabriel  Sayre,  in  said 
town." 


108  GENERAL  HISTOUY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


thence  ulong-  said  line  to  (lie  town  of  Minnisink,  thence  west  to  the 
town  of  Deerpark,  to  he  a  separate  town,  by  the  name  of  Calhonn, 
and  the  tirst  town  meeting-  to  be  iield  at  the  honse  of  Joseph  Conklin, 
in  said  town." 

Hamptonburgh — formed  from  (loshen,  Blooining'-rTrovtv,  New  Wind- 
sor, Montg-omery,  and  VVallkill,  April  5,1X30.  Boundaries:  "Begin- 
ning' at  a  point  where  tiie  new  north-west  line  crosses  the  old  comity 
line  and  rnns  thence  along'  said  new  north-west  line  sontii  forty-nine 
and  a  qnarter  deg'rees  east,  two  hnndred  and  eighty  chains  to  within 
twenty-tive  chains  of  the  soutli-east  corner  of  tiu^  Bnll's  and  (Gerard's 
patents;  then  nortli  sixty  and  a  iialt'  deg'rees  east,  three  hnndred  and 
twenty-two  chains  to  a  heap  of  stones  in  Samuel  Brewster's  field;  then 
north  seventeen  deg'rees  east,  thirty-six  chains  and  seventy-five  links 
to  the  aforesaid  old  connty  line;  then  north  sixteen  and  a  half  de- 
g'rees west,  one  hnndred  and  ninety  chains  to  the  north-westerly 
corner  of  the  farm  of  Stephen  King,  deceased;  tlien  north  fifty-six 
and  a  quarter  deg'rees  west,  two  liundred  and  thirty  chains  to  the 
middle  of  the  Wallkill  stream;  then  up  the  middle  of  said  Wallkill  as 
it  runs  four  hnndred  and  seventy-three  chains  and  fifty  liid^s  to  oppo- 
site a  basswood  tree  standing'  on  the  east  branch  of  said  Wallkill 
stream;  then  soutli  fifteen  and  a  half  deg'rees  east,  ninety-five  chains 
to  the  aforesaid  old  county  line,  and  at  the  corner  of  the  lands  of 
Grant  and  Derick  Smith,  Nathaniel  Tuthill,  and  the  lands  formerly 
owned  by  Isaac  Germond;  then  east  along  said  old  county  line 
8eventy-(me  chains  to  tlie  place  of  beginning."  First  town  meeting 
held  at  the  house  of  Charles  Heard  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April,  1831. 

Chester — formed  from  Goshen,  Warwick,  Blooming-Grove,  and  Mon- 
roe, March  22, 1845.  Boundaries:  "  Beginning  on  the  line  between  the 
towns  of  Goshen  and  Blooming-Grove,  near  a  brook  at  the  intersec- 
tion of  the  line  of  Cromeline's  patent  with  the  aforesaid  line,  and 
running  thence  along  said  town  line  north  four  degrees  east  twenty- 
two  chains,  then  south  twenty-three  degrees  west,  one  liundred  and 
twelve  chains  to  a  chestnut  tree;  then  south  fifty-five  degrees  west, 
three  hundred  and  twenty  chains,  to  the  line  between  the  towns  of 
Goshen  and  Warwick  at  the  creek  below  Thompson's  mills;  thence 
south  twenty-five  degrees  east,  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  chains  to 
a  heap  of  stones;  thence  south  forty-seven  degrees  east,  three  hun- 
dred and  forty-six  chains  to  the  line  between  the  towns  of  Warwick 
and  Monroe;  thence  north  thirty-two  degrees  east,  one  hundred  and 
sixty-six  chains  to  the  junction  of  three  roads  near  the  head  of  Little 
Long  pond;  thence  north  nine  degrees  east,  two  hundred  and  thirty- 
iive  chains  to  four  chestnnt  trees;  thence  north  twenty-one  degrees 
west,  two   hundred   and   twenty  chains   to  the  place  of  beginning." 


TOWN  BOUNDARIES.  109 


The  first  town  meeting  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  R.  Conklin  on  the 
first  Tuesday  in  April,  1845. 

Wawayanda — formed  from  Minnisink,  by  the  board  of  supervisors, 
November  27,  1849.  Boundaries:  "All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Min- 
nisink, in  the  said  county  of  Orange,  commencing  on  the  old  Ulster 
county  line  and  in  the  center  of  the  Wallkill  river,  also  in  the  line  of 
the  town  of  Wallkill,  and  runs  near  due  west  to  the  corner  of  the 
town  of  Mount  Hope  and  Wallkill;  thence  along  the  same  course 
twenty-four  chains  and  seventy-five  links  to  the  center  of  the  highway 
leading  from  Ketchurn's  mills  to  Mount  Hope  village;  thence  south 
thirty-seven  degrees  west,  twenty-one  chains  along  the  highway; 
thence  south  along  the  same  forty  and  one-half  degrees  west,  twenty- 
five  chains  and  fifty  links;  thence  south  sixty-five  chains  to  an  old 
road  near  Robert  Robertson's;  thence  along  the  same  south  forty-four 
degrees  west,  twenty  chains;  thence  south  thirty-fire  degrees  west, 
fifteen  chains  and  fifty  links;  thence  south  forty-three  and  a  half 
degrees  west,  sixteen  chains  and  fifty  links;  thence  south  fifty-two 
degrees  west,  fifty-six  chains  along  the  road  leading  through  the 
MiHbrd  neighborhood;  thence  along  said  road  soutii  sixty-two  and 
one-quarter  degrees  west,  thirty-six  chains  to  Robert  Rol)ertson's,  Jr.; 
thence  south  forty  degrees  east,  twenty-two  chains;  thence  south  six 
and  a  half  degrees  east,  thirteen  chains  to  the  old  Minnisink  turnpike; 
thence  across  the  same  south  forty-eight  and  tlncc-(|narter  degrees 
east,  twenty-two  chains;  thence  south  forty-three  and  three-cjuarter 
degrees  east,  twenty-four  chains  to  William  Canfield's;  thence  south 
twenty-seven  and  three-ipiarter  degrees  east,  six  chains;  thence  south 
fiity-eight  and  a  half  degrees  east,  thirty-eight  chains  to  the  bridge 
across  the  branch  at  Rutger's  kill;  thence  along  the  said  (branch) 
stream  to  its  intersection  with  Rutger's  kill;  thence  along  Rutger's 
kill  to  the  Wallkill  river,  and  thence  following  the  same  to  the  jdace 
of  beginning."     First  town  meeting  at  house  of  DeWitt  C.  Hallock. 

Greenville — formed  from  Minnisink,  by  the  board  of  supervisors, 
December  2,  1853.  Boundaries:  "All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Minnis- 
'  ink  which  lies  west  of  a  \uw  between  the  towns  of  Minnisink  and 
Wawayanda,  which  is  about  twelve  chains  n(jrth-west  of  the  dwelling 
house  of  Wm.  Canfield,  said  station  being  twenty-five  lird<s  north-west 
of  the  center  of  an  arched  stone  bridge  across  said  road  to  said  Can- 
field's,  and  running  thence  south  forty-eight  degrees  west,  four  hundred 
and  twenty-eight  chains  and  fifty  links  to  a  station  on  the  south  line 
of  the  town  of  Minnisiid^,  which  station  is  a  black  oak  tree  on  the  line 
between  the  states  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  highway  leading  to  the  village  of  Salem  from  the  house  of  John 
W.  Elston." 


110  GENERAL  HISTORY  OF  ORANGE  COUNTY. 


Highlands — formed  from  Cornwall,  by  the  board  of  supervisors, 
December  3,  1872.  Boundaries:  "All  that  part  of  the  town  of  Corn- 
wall lying  to  the  south  of  a  line  drawn  from  Sherwood's  rock,  on 
Hudson's  river,  running-  thence  westerly  to  a  house  now  or  recently 
occupied  by  William  Lancaster;  thence  in  a  direct  line  to  the  house 
of  William  Chatfield;  thence  to  the  house  of  John  Odell;  thence  to 
the  hig-hest  peak  of  Mount  Rascal  to  the  line  of  the  town  of  Monroe." 

City  of  Newburgh — chartered  by  the  legislature  as  the  village  of 
Newburgh,  March  25,  1800;  as  the  city  of  Newlnirgh,  April  22,  1865. 
Boundaries,  1872:  "Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  Chamber's  creek,  on 
the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  river,  and  at  the  north-east  corner  of  the 
town  of  New  Windsor,  and  runs  thence  along  the  north  line  of  the 
town  of  New  Windsor  to  an  oak  tree  on  the  west  slope  of  Snake  hill, 
and  twenty-two  chains  measured  eastwardly  along  the  town  line  from 
the  east  line  of' the  reservoir  lot;  thence  in  a  straight  line  througli 
lands  of  estates  of  W.  Chapman,  G.  F.  Wisner  and  others,  to  the 
intersection  of  the  Gidnej'town  creek  with  the  west  side  of  the  road 
leading  from  the  Newburgh  and  EUenville  plank  road  to  Gidney  ave- 
nue; thence  northwardly  along  said  creek  to  a  point  due  west  from 
the  north-west  corner  of  tlic  village  of  Newburgh;  from  thence  east- 
wardly to  the  said  north-west  corner  of  the  village  of  Newburgh; 
and  from  thence  eastwardly  along  the  north  line  of  the  village  of 
Newburgh  to  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  river;  thence  due  east  to 
the  east  line  of  the  county  of  Orange,  being  the  center  of  said  river; 
thence  soutlierly  along  the  east  line  of  tlie  county  of  Orange  to  a 
point  due  east  from  the  place  of  beginning,  and  from  thence  to  the 
place  of  beginning." 


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iistorg    0f    Sehjbuig]^. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


THE    SECOND    PATENTS — THE    PALATINE    PARISH    BY    QUASSAICK. 


NEWBURGH,  us  its  tcn-itory  appeared  in  1609 — or  so  much  of  it 
as  could  be  seen  from  the  deck  of  the  Half  Moon,  is  simply 
described  by  Hudson,  in  connection  with  the  adjoining'  plateau  which 
sweeps  in  semi-circle  from  the  Dans  Kammer  to  the  Highlands,  as  "a 
very  pleasant  place  to  build  a  town  on."  On  the  right  of  his  vision 
Butter  hill  lifted  its  rugged  sides  in  sparse  and  withered  verdure  in 
the  autumn  sunlight;  from  thence  were  forests,  broken  here  and  there 
by  clearings  which  the  Indians  had  made  in  which  to  cultivate  the 
corn  and  beans  that  so  largely  supplied  them  with  food,  or  marked  by 
the  path  of  streams,  and  hills  with  cedar-crowned  summits  as  now 
where  unnatured  by  the  reclaiming  processes  of  civilization;  in  the 
center,  a  bluff  of  rolling  sand,  with  gnarled  trees  and  dwarfed  shrub- 
bery, rising  abruptly  from  the  water's  edge — perchance  the   watch- 


112 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


tower  of  the  untutored  Indian  guarding  the  approaches  to  the  altar  of 
Bachtamo,  on  which  the  sacrificial  fires  of  his  people  had  burned  for 
ages — Newburgh,  untouched  by  the 

' '  Keen  ax,  that  wondrous  instrument, 

That  like  a  fabled  talisman  transforms 
Deserts  to  fields  and  cities." 

The  stages  of  its  reclamation  and  development  are  revealed  in  the 
records.  The  lands  included  in  the  two  purchases  of  Gov.  Dongan 
(1684),  and  subsequently  conveyed  by  patent  to  Captain  John  Evans 
(1694),*  embraced  substantially  the  territory  of  the  present  towns  of 
Highlands,  Cornwall,  New  Windsor,  Newburgh,  Montgomery,  and 
Crawford,  the  principal  part  of  Wallkill,  part  of  Ilamptonburgii,  and 
a  large  portion  of  southern  Ulster.  After  the  annulling  of  the  patent 
(1699),  the  tract  was  conveyed  in  small  parcels  f — one  hundred  and 
twelve  in  number — at  diflFerent  periods  from  1703  to  1775,  of  which 
ten  were  included  in  the  precinct  of  Newburgh,  as  the  precinct  was 


constituted  in  1772  |  viz:  No.  1,  German  patent,  2,190  acres,  Decem- 
ber 18,  1719;  No.  2,  Alexander  Baird  and  Company,  6,000  acres,  Feb- 
ruary 28, 1719;  No.  3,  Jacobus  Kip  and  Compaiiy,  7,000  acres,  October 
17,  1720;  No.  4,  Richard  Bradley  and  William  Jamison,  1,800  acres, 
May  27,  1729;  No.  5,  James  Wallace  2,000  acres,  January  25,  1732; 
No.  6,  Bradley  children  817  acres,    March   26,   1739;   No.   7,   Francis 


*  Ante  p.  21,  22. 

t  The  largest  patent  was  10,000  acres.  In  all  cases  where  patents  were  issued  for  over 
2,000  acres,  it  was  to  a  company  or  association  of  individuals  for  the  purpose  of  evading 
tliie  law,  which  forbid  the  grant  to  one  person  of  a  tract  exceeding  that  number. 

X  Ante  p.  39. 


PARISH  BY  QUASSAICK  113 


Harrison  and  Company,  5,600  acres,  July  10,  1714  ;*  No.  8,  John 
Spratt  and  Company,  1,000  acres,  April  12,  1728;  No.  9,  Melchior 
Gulch,  300  acres,  October  8,  1719;  No.  10,  Peter  Johnson,  300  acres, 
October  8,  1719. 

The  first  in  order  of  settlement  were  the  German  patent,  covering 
the  present  city  of  Newburgh  and  a  portion  of  the  town  of  Newburgh 
lying-  immediately  northf  including'  Balmville;  and  the  patents  to 
Melchior  Gulch  and  Peter  Johnson  near  Middlehope.  These  settle- 
ments were  composed  of  innnig'rants  from  the  Palatinate  of  the  Rhine, 
whose  prior  history  may  be  briefly  stated: 

The  Palatinate  was  a  section  of  country  lying-  upon  the  Rhine,  in 
Germany,  and  now  divided  and  incorporated  with  Bavaria,  the  states 
of  Rhenish  Prussia,  Baden,  and  Hesse  Darmstadt.  At  an  early  period 
in  the  histcjry  of  the  Reformation,  the  movement  was  felt  in  the  Pala- 
tinate, and  the  Elector  himself  became  one  of  its  decided  friends.  His 
dominions  were,  consequently,  resorted  to  by  the  Protestants  of  other 
countries  who  found  the  fires  of  persecution  too  hot  for  them  in  their 
native  land.  For  this  reason,  as  well  as  fr(jm  its  g'cog-raphical  position, 
the  Palatinate  sliared  largely  in  the  wars  of  the  time  of  Louis  XIV. 
Ill  1674,  tiie  French  army  under  Turenne  entered  the  district  in 
triumph,  and  marked  its  victory  with  the  most  barbarous  and  wanton 
destruction.  From  his  castle  at  Manheim  the  Elector  beheld  two  cities 
and  twenty-fiv(f  towns  in  flames.  "  Rapine  and  lust,"  says  the  histo- 
rian, "vied  with  each  other  in  the  dreadful  destruction  committed  by 
the  French  soldiers."  Turenne  was  subsequently  forced  to  retreat 
from  the  Palatinate;  and  the  district  enjoyed  comparative  prosperity 
until  1683,  when,  by  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantz,  and  the 
flig'ht  of  many  of  the  )iersecuted  Huguenots  to  the  shelter  aftbrded  by 
the  Elector,  it  becaiiie  markcil  for  the  especial  vengeance  of  Madame 
de  Maintenon,  the  wife  of  Louis  XiV,  acting  tlirougli  the  war-secretary 
Louvois;  and  the  war  between  France  on  the  one  hand,  and  Austria 
and  Holland,  and  subsequently  Spain,  Denmark  and  Savoy  on  the 
other,  supplied  the  opportunity.  Made  aware  of  the  intention  of 
Austria  and  Holland  to  conunence  hostilities,  Louis  determined  to 
anticipate  their  movements  and  strike  the  first  blow;  and  for  this 
purpose  he  dispatched  his  son,  the  Dauphin,  at  the  head  of  100,000 
men,  to  invade  the  Palatinate.  The  expedition  was  successful ;  and 
several  cities  had  already  surrendered  to  the  French  arms,  when  the 
peremptory  order  came  from  Louvois  that  the  Palatinate  should  be 
reduced  to  cinders,  and  the  whole  face  of  the  counti-y  turned  into  a 


*  A  tract  of  300  acres,  adjoining  the  first  grant  on  the  north-west,  was  granted  to  the 
same  parties  July  26, 1723. 

+  The  German  j)atent  occupied  the  river  front  for  about  two  miles  and  three-cjuarters, 
(219  chains),  and  included  four  lots  (700  acres)  north  of  North  street. 

o8 


114  IIISTOEY  OF  NEW'BUKGIL 


(> 


lU'scrt.  TIk'  Dau|)liiii  aiul  liis  officers  sliraiik  iVoiii  tli(>  task  imposed, 
but  tlicrc  was  no  csi-apiui;-  the  c-oiiiiiiaiid,  and  a(.-cordiiii;-ly  they  an- 
nouiKH'd  to  the  people  that  in  three  days  time  the  work  of  destruction 
would  conuuent-e.  (iathering-  tog'ether  what  little  could  be  collected — 
unable  to  turn  any  property  into  money — the  people  tied.  Men,  women 
and  childri'ii,  clinging-  to  their  homes  to  the  last,  were  driven  to  the 
tields  in  the  heart  of  winter,  while  their  dwell in^-s  weri'  reduced  to 
ashes,  their  luoperty  seized,  anil  their '  possessions  pillaged.  More 
than  forty  cities  and  a  much  larger  numbi-r  of  villages  were  burned; 
the  palaces  ol'  the  Electors  razed  |o  the  ground,  and  their  very  tond)s 
pened  in  search  of  hidch'U  treasure.  The  ollicials  l»y  Avhom  the  order 
was  executed,  bluslu'd  at  the  enoi-mities  of  which  they  were  the  agents, 
and  all  Kuro[)e  gazed  in  horror  (Ui  the  scene.  Even  Louis  was  iV)rced 
to  admit  the  inhumanity  of  the  act,  as  he  reminded  Louvois  that  ho 
had  isisueil  ;in  order  for  tlu'  exei-ution  tif  which  his  sovereign  must  bear 
the  olilotpiy. 

'flic  I'ugitive  Palatines  scattered  themselves  over  Europe,  and  the 
streets  of  Protestant  cities  became  lilled  with  men  and  women  once 
in  the  enjoyment  of  ph'uty,  but  now  redui'ed  to  beggary  and  want. 
Wherever  they  went  the  hand  of  charity  was  clieerfully  extendixl  to 
them  and  etiorts  made  for  the  amelioration  of  their  condition.  Those 
who  ri'mained  around  tlu'ir  ruined  villages  had  little  opportunity  to 
recoviM'  their  lost  prosperity;  the  ai'mies  of  France  were  frequently 
traversing  the  ti'iritory,  and  for  several  subsctpient  years  the  peojde 
saw  more  ol'  war  than  peace.  Ijcarning  their  condition,  the  English 
government,  with  a  view  to  the  colonization  of  America,  was  consid- 
ering the  propriety  of  sending  out  agents  to  invite  the  fugitives 
thither,  when,  in  the  spring  of  1708,  a  company  o^  them  arrived  there, 
accompanied  by  tlunr  minister,  and  made  application  to  be  sent  to  the 
plantations.*  Their  request  was  referred  to  the  commissioners  of 
trade  and  plantations,  who  reported:  ''  They  are  in  number  forty-one, 
viz:  ten  nu'n,  ten  women,  twenty-one  childri>n.  They  are  very  neces- 
sitous and  in  tlu>  utmost  w-ant,  not  having  anything  it  present  (but 
wdiat  they  get  by  charity)  to  subsist  themselves.  They  have  been 
ri'duced  to  this  miserable  condition  by  the  ravages  conmiitted  by  the 
French  in  the  lower  Palatinate,  wln>re  tlu\v  lost  all  th(>y  had.  They 
have  produced  to  us  several  testimonials  from  the  baliflls  and  principal 
magistrates  in  the  villages  where  tlu^y  dwelt,  which  we  have  examined, 
and  find  that  they  give  good  i-haracter  of  the  said  minister  and  the 

*  The  larger  ininiisnition  which  t'oUowod.Mr.  Henry  A.  Hohiis  assumes,  in  his  pamphlet 
"  The  Palatine  Eniiirratioii  to  England,"  was  imhiced  thither  by  the  agents  of  the  English 
government.  A  portion  of  this  snbseqnent  immigration  was  settled  in  Ireland,  hnt  the 
larger  part  was  sent  to  New  York  and  settled  in  Columbia  and  Greene  counties  and  in  the 
valley  of  the  Mohawk,  from  whence  a  verj'  con.<iderablc  colony  removed  to  Tulpehocken, 
Berks  county,  Pennsylvania. 


rAltltiH  BY  qUASSAWK.  115 


othens  witli  liiiii.  VVc  liiiiiil)ly  propose  that  they  be  sent  to  si^ttle  upon 
Hudson's  liver,  in  tlie  j)rovince  of  New  York,  where  tiiey  may  be 
use-fill  to  this  kiii<^doni,  particularly  in  the  production  of  naval  stoiH.'S, 
and  as  a  protection  ag-ainstlhe  French  and  their  Indians;  and  tliatfor 
tlieir  further  (!ncoui"a|:^enient  they  be  made  denizens  of"  tin's  kiiii;'dom." 
These  recommendations  w(;re  adopted  by  the  council  (May  lU,  1708), 
and  were  f'ollow(Ml  by  an  order  issued  by  Queen  Anne  piovidin*;',  at 
her  own  exiKMise,  for  their  maiiitcuiance  and  their  removal  to  America. 
Letters  of  denization  weri^  issued  to  them  (Aug.  25th),  and  under  a 
gMiaranty  of  i)<l.  a  day  per  head  for  twelve  months  for  their  support, 
and  a  grant  of  land  on  which  to  settle,  they  sailed  for  the  New  World, 
enrollecl  as:  "The  above-mentioned  clergyman,  Joshua  Kockerthal, 
Sibylle  Charlotte  his  wife,  and  Christian  Joshua,  Benigna  Sibylle  and 
Susanna  Sibylle,  their  children;  also,  Lourentz  Schwisser,  husbandman, 
Anna  Catharine  his  wife  and  Johannes  tlieir  son;  Heinrich  Rennau, 
stocking-maker  and  husbandman,  Johanna  his  wife,  Lourentz  and 
Ileinrich,  their  son.'^,  and  Susanna  and  Maria  Johanna  Liboschain, 
sist(?rs-in-law;  Andries  Volck,  hushandman,  Anna-  ('atharine  his  wife, 
IleiroiHunus,  Maria  Barbara  and  Anna  (Jertrude,  th(;ir  children;  Michael 
Weigand,  husbandman,  Anna  Catharine  his  wife,  Tobias,  George  and 
Anna  Maria,  their  children;  Jacob  Webber,  husbandman,  Anna  Eliza- 
beth his  wife,  and  Ev(;  Maria  and  Eve  Elizabeth,  their  children;  Johan- 
nes Jacob  Plettel,  husbandman,  Anna  Elizabeth  his  wife,  and  Margan^t, 
Anna  Sarah,  and  Catharine,  their  children;  Johannes  Fischei',  smith 
and  husbandman,  Maria  Barbara  his  wife,  and  Andries  his  son;  Mel- 
chior  Gulch,  carpenter  and  joiner,  Anna  Catharine  his  wife,  and  Hein- 
rich and  Margaret,  their  children;  Isaac  Turck,  husbandman;  Peter 
Rose,  cloth-weaver,  and  Johanna  his  wife,  Mary  Wiernarm,  hus- 
bandwoman,  his  mother-in-law  and  Catharine  her  child;  Isaac  Feber, 
husbandman,  Catharine  his  wife,  and  Abram  their  son;  Daniel  Fiere, 
husbandman,  Anna  his  wife,  and  Andrew  and  Johannes,  their  sons; 
and  Herman  Schuneman,  clerk." 

Reaching  ' ' jw  York  in  the  winter,  they  were  transferred  from 
thence  to  the  district  then  known  as  "  Quassaick  creek  and  Thans- 
kamir."*  Of  their  private  history  we  know  nothing  beyond  the  fact 
shown  before  the  commissioners  of  trade,  that  they  were  rnen  of 
good  character;  and  the  general  fact  that  they  had  been  stripped  of 
their  possessions  by  religious  persecution;  that  they  were  followers 


*  The  precise  date  of  their  settlement  is  not  known,  but  it  is  shown  by  a  petition  of 
William  Chambers,  of  date  May  9, 1709,  for  lands  immediately  south  of  Quassaick  creek, 
that  they  were  here  at  that  time,  the  tract  which  he  wished  to  obtain  being  described  as 
bounded  north  "  by  the  widow  Plettel  and  Quassaick  creek."  The  widow  Plettel's  friends 
had  evidently  erected  a  cabin  for  her  on  lands  adjoining  the  creek  on  the  north.  She 
afterwards  married  George  Lockstead,  and  the  lot  on  which  she  had  first  located  was 
granted  to  her  second  husband,  herself  and  her  children. 


116  HISTOR  Y  OF  NEWB  URGH. 


of  the  doctrines  of  Lutlier  and  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and 
were  knit  together  by  common  memories  and  a  faith  that  had  proved 
sufficient  to  sustain  them  amid  the  most  severe  trials  and  sacrifices. 
Unlike  the  pioneers  in  other  localities,  they  brouglit  nothing-  with 
them,  and  left  behind  no  friends  able  to  assist  them.  A  scanty 
public  stipend,  too  frequently  withlield,  was  all  that  sustained  the 
strong-  arms  and  willing  hearts  before  which  the  dense  forest  yielded 
its  sway,  their  humble  cabins  dotted  the  hill-side,  and  a  sanctuary  in 
which  to  worship  God  arose. 

Through  the  petitions  which  they  sent  in  to  the  council  of  New 
York,  and  through  the  records  of  tlieir  church  which  have  been  pre- 
served, we  are  enabled,  to  some  extent,  to  trace  the  progress  of 
their  settlement.  On  the  20th  of  May,  1709,  they  write  that  since 
the  death  of  Lord  Lovelace,  the  provision  for  their  support  had  not 
been  complied  with;  that  they  were  in  great  want  of  the  same,  and 
without  it  would  not  be  able  to  perfect  their  settlement  on  the  lands 
assigned  them,  and  that  niiiettHMi  of  their  number  had  changed  their 
religion  and  turned  Pietists,  and  withdrawn  themselves  from  the 
Lutheran  connnunidii.  The  council  immediately  granted  them  tlie 
supplies  asked  for;  and  at  the  same  time  appointed  a  conunittee  to 
examine  into  the  difficulties  in  their  church.  The  latter  were  satis- 
factorily arranged;  and  at  the  recpiest  of  the  council.  Colonel  Thonuis 
\¥enham  engaged  to  provide  them  "  a  needful  and  necessary  support 
until  the  expiration  of  twelve  months." 

Soon  after  this  (June  29),  their  minister,  Joshua  Kockerthal,  aslu'd 
to  be  retransported  to  London,  in  order  to  more  speedily  and  satis- 
factorily arrange  what  had  been  done  in  i'avor  of  the  company;  but 
his  request  does  not  a)i})ear  to  have  been  grante«l.  In  October  follow- 
ing, John  ('onrad  Codvv(Ms,  in  behalf  of  the  company,  represented  in 
a  petition  that  a  large  portion  of  the  allowance  granted  for  its  support 
remained  due,  and  that  unless  it  should  be  provided,  they  must  perish 
during  the  winter.  Theren]ion  the  council  (Ot-t.  10)  ordered  the  ad- 
vance of  suppli(\s,  the  company  giving  "their  ]K'rsonal  security  for 
the  repayment  thereof  in  case  it  l>e  not  paid  in  England  in  a  year." 
In  other  words,  the  colonial  authorities  were  not  disposed  to  assume 
the  exixMiditure,  trilling  though  it  was,  of  "9d.  a  day  per  head" 
involved  in  the  agreement  which  had  been  made  by  tlie  home  gov- 
ernment with  th(>  innnigrants  for  their  support,  without  definite  instruc- 
tions from  the  commissioners  of  trade  and  plantations.  The  authority 
required  was  socm  transmitted  to  the 'council,  and  the  payment  made, 
including  a  special  allowance  to  Joshua  Kockerthal  of  £20  a  year. 
In  the  spring  of  1710,  tools  and  building  materials  were  distributed 
to  them;    also  smith  tools;  iron  and  steel  for  horse-shoes,  nails,  and 


PARIHII  BY  QUASSAJVK.  II7 


rneiuling-  tools;  incdicitics;  Imoks  iiiid  icipcr;  ag'riciiltural  irnplerneuts, 
iiiid  horses,  cows,  and  pig's.* 

The  patent  which  hud  lieen  promised  to  tlie  iniinig-rants  for  the 
tract  on  whicli  they  had  iu'vu  h)cat<!d  was  not  ininiediatidy  granted. 
On  tlieir  petition  in  1713,  Gov(u-nor  Hunter  issued  to  Augustus  tii-a- 
hani,  surveyor-general  of  th<'  province,  a  warrant  directing  hin)  to 
"survey  and  hiy  out  lor  the  (ierinans  at  tinassaick  creek,  in  tlie 
county  of  Ulster,  su(;li  (luantity  of  land  as  is  by  them  petitioned  for 
and  approved  of  in  council,"  and  further  recpiiring  that  he  shoidd 
"survey  for  each  of  them  his  (|uantity  distinctly."  A  survey  was 
made  under  this  ordei-,  on  the  thirteenth  of  April,  1714,  but  was  not 
satisfactoiy,  the  immigrants  re})resenting  in  p<'tition  that  the  land 
Ixiiiif^  "all  upland,"  they  were  not  able  to  obtain  subsistence  for 
tlKunselves  and  families  "  for  want  of  some  meadow  land  for  ibdder 
for  their  cattle  in  winter."  So  the  matter  stood  until  171H,  when 
Kockerthal,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  associates,  recited  in  petition 
that  the  survey  had  been  made,  the  lands  being  described  as  "a  tract 
on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  river,  in  the  county  of  Ulster,  beginning 
on  the  north  side  of  Quassaick  creek,  and  extending  northerly  up  the 
Hudson  river  on  a  straig-ht  line  two  hundred  and  nineteen  chains, 
and  into  the  wcxjds  on  that  side  one  hundred  chains,  containing'  two 
thousand  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres;"  which  said  tract  had  been 
"divided  int(j  nine  lots,  the  which  are  numbered  from  one  to  nine, 
each  lot  containing  a  suitable  quantity  for  each  family  to  which  they 
are  appropriated,  there  being  allowed  for  each  head  fifty  acres,  and 
five  hundred  acn.'s  for  a  Glebe."  Some  changes  were  asked  by  the 
grantees.  He  desired  that  the  farm  assigned  to  him  be  added  to  the 
north  side  of  the  Glebe  and  the  same  quantity  given  to  him  on  the 
south  side.  This  was  granted;  but  the  application  to  omit  from  the 
patents  conveyance  to  "the  wives  and  children"  of  the  patentees, 
was  not  conceded. 


*  "  Joshua  Kockerthal— 1  barrel  of  Lime,  3  Gouches,  2  formers,  1  Grindingstono,  1 
square,  1  rule,  1  compass,  and  several  pieces  more.  Hermanus  Schuneman — 2  Handsaws, 
1  great,  saw,  3  Gouches,  2  Agors,  and  several  pieces  more.  John  Fischer — 1  Tenant  Saw, 
1  Gimlet,  1  Hammer,  1  small  hie,  1  hatchet,  1  Joyutor,  besides  several  pieces  more. 
Michael  Weigand—1  great  file,  1  smaller  ditto,  1  mortising  chisel,  1  Joynter,  1  Agor,  be- 
sides several  pieces  more.  Audries  Volck— 1  Cross  Cut  Saw,  1  smooding  plain,  1  wiping 
saw,  another  sett  of  Gouches,  besides  several  pieces  more.  The  widow  Plettel— 1  wiping 
saw,  1  great  hammer,  1  gimlet,  1  Tenant  saw,  besides  several  pieces  more.  Peter  Rose — 
1  Glupott,  1  WhimpUiigpelts,  1  hatchet,  1  little  hammer,  2  Agors,  1  Joynter,  besides  sev- 
eral pieces  more.  Jacob  Weber — 1  box  with  white  lead,  Knife  and  Compass,  1  addz,  2 
Gouches,  1  mortising  chisel,  besides  several  pieces  more.  Isaac  Turck — 1  Glupott,  1  box 
with  white  lead.  Knife  and  Compass,  1  saw-tile,  3  Gouches,  1  fore  plain,  besides  several 
pieces  more.  Lorenz  Sch%visser— 1  grinding  stone,  1  square,  1  little  gimlet,  2  Agors,  1 
smooding  plain,  besides  several  pieces  more.  Henry  Rennau— 1  Cross  Cut  Saw,  1  Miter- 
block,  1  acfdz,  2  Agors,  1  Gimlet,  besides  several  pieces  more.  The  Widow  Wiernarm — 
Another  sort  of  Smooding  plain,  1  little  tile,  1  hatchet,  besides  several  pieces  more.  Isaac 
Feber— 1  Broad  axe,  1  httle  hatchet,  1  smooding  lile,  1  rule,  1  former,  besides  several 
pieces  more.  Daniel  Fiere — 1  Broad  axe,  1  square,  1  Miter  block,  1  Tenant  saw,  1  Joynter, 
besides  several  pieces  more.    Melchior  Gulch — Three  full  setts  of  Joyner-Tools." 


118 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


Before  the  linal  allotment  came  some  changes  also  occurred  in  the 
original  company.  Johannes  Jacob  Plettel  died  on  his  passage  to 
America  or  soon  after  liis  arrival,  and  his  widow  had  married  George 
Lockstead;  Joshua  Kockerthal  had  also  died;  Peter  Rose  had  removed 
to  Pennsylvania  and  transferred  his  interest  to  "  one  Burger  Meynders, 
a  blacksmith,"  for  some  years  previously  a  resident  of  Kingston;  Tiou- 
rents  Schwisser,  Isaac  Turck,  Isaac  Feber,  Ileinrich  Rennau,  and  Daniel 
Fiere  had  removed  elsewhere,  and  Christian  Henricke  and  Peter  John- 
son had  been  added  to  the  company.  These  changes  were  recognized 
by  the  government,  and  the  patent  was  issued  December  18, 1719:  "  Lot 

No.  1,  to  George 
L  o  e  k  s  t  e  a  d  and 
Anna  Elizabeth  his 
wife,  M  a  r  g  a  r  e  t , 
Anna  Sarah,  and 
Catharine,  their 
children,  250  acres; 
No.  2,  to  Michael 
Weigand  and  Anna 
Catharine  his  wife, 
Tobias,  (Jeorg'e,  and 
Anna  Maria,  their 
children,  250  acres; 
No.  3,  to  Herman  Schuneman  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  100  acres;  No.  4, 
to  Christian  Henricke,  100  acres;  No.  5,  to  Sibylle Charlotte  Kockerthal, 
the  widow  of  Joshua  Kockerthal,  and  to  Christian  Joshua,  Benigna 
Sibylle,  and  Susanna  Sibylle,  their  children,  250  acres;  No.  6,  to 
Burger  Meynders,  100  acres;  No.  7,  to  Jacob  Webber  and  Anna  Eliz- 
abeth his  wife,  Eve  Maria,  and  Eve  Elizabeth,  their  children,  200  acres; 
No.  8,  to  Johainies  Fischer  and  Maria  Barbara  his  wife,  100  acres; 
No.  0,  to  Andries  Volck  and  Anna  Catiiarine  his  wife,  George,  Hiero- 
nenms,  Maria  Barbara,  and  Anna  Gertrude,  their  cliildren,  800  acres." 
To  Melchior  Gulch  and  Peter  Johnson  had  previously  been  issued 
(Oct.  8,  1710,)  patents  for  three  hundred  acres  each,  lying  north  of 
the  principal  tract.     Forty  acres  were  reserved  for  highways,*  and 


GEUMAN    I'ATENT. 

E — Western  Avenue ;  G — GHebe  Laud;   K— King's  Highway. 


*  The  roads  incliulod  in  the  forty  acres  reserved  for  that  purpose  were  what  is  now 
known  as  Wost(n-n  Avonuo  and  Ijihcrty  street.  Western  Aveinie  formed  the  northern 
boundary  of  lot  No.  8,  and  the  southern  bounihiry  of  hit  No.  4,  and  extt-nded  two  chains 
in  width  from  the  river  to  the  west  bounds  of  the"  patent.  Liberty  street,  originally  the 
"  Kinf,'"s  Highway,"  was  opened  by  the  ^fverunient  prior  to  the  issue  of  the  patent; 
Western  Avenue  was  not  opened  until  nearly  a  century  later.  The  settlers  made  other 
roads.  One  ran  from  the  river,  from  a  point  in  the  vicinity  of  Second  street,  up  the  hill 
in  a  south-westerly  direction  along  tlie  bed  of  what  is  now  part  of  Coldeii  street,  to  the 
corner  of  First;  thence  to  the  corner  of  Grand  and  Western  avenue,  and  from  thence 
toward  (Juassaiek  creek,  leaving  the  Cold  Spring  on  the  right.  It  was  first  called  the 
"  WallkiU  road,"  and  subsequently  "  Wagon  street."  It  was  the  principal  road  to  the 
river.    The  first  dwelUugs  were  on  the  hue  of  Liberty  sti-eet. 


PARISH  BY  qUASSAWK  119 


five  hundred  acres  for  a  Glebe;  and  the  wliole  tract  was  to  be  known 
and  called  "The  Palatine  Parish  by  Quassaick."  The  Glebe  lot  was 
assig-ned  t(t  Andries  Volck  and  Jacob  Webber,  and  their  successors, 
for  the  use  and  behoof  of  the  Lutheran  minister  and  his  successors 
f(»rever,*  for  which  puri)ose  it  was  to  be  leas(!d  at  a  certain  quit-i-ent, 
in  whole  or  in  parcels,  for  terms  not  longer  than  sc^ven  years,  and 
was  subject  to  th(^  annual  payment  to  the  provincial  authorities  of 
"one  pepper-corn,"  if  the  same  should  be  legally  demanded. f 

From  the  ehurch  books  of  the  Lutheran  congregation  of  New  York, 
it  appears  that  the  successor  of  .b)shua  Kockerthal  was  Justus  Fal- 
conier,  who,  it  is  said,  was  baptized  "  in  the  house  of  one  of  the 
trustees,  the  19th  April,  1710,"  and  continued  to  serve  the  people 
at  Quassaick  "vvo.vy  year  {I.  e.  by  an  annual  visit),  without  any 
profit  of  the  Glebe.     He  is  deceased,  1723." 

Jn  the  year  1725,  William  Christoffer  Bcrk(!runey(*r  arriv<'d  at  New 
York,  and  entenul  u])oii  the  duticss  of  pastor  of  the  Liitlicriiii  church 
there,  and  also  tilhul  the  appointment  of  Falconier  at  Qinissaick. 
Meanwhile  the  two  trustees  of  the  Glebe,  Andries  Volck  and  Jacob 
Webber,  had  sold  out  their  lands  and  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
tlx'ir  places  had  been  supjdied  by  Zachai'ias  llofman  and  Tobias 
VVeigand,  son  of  Michac^l  WcMgand,  who,  in  1727,  entered  into  a 
written  contract  with  the  consistory  of  tlu;  Lutlun-an  congregation  of 
N<'W  York,  by  the  teams  of  which  the  congregation  at  Quassaick 
were  received  into  the  communion  of  the  former  body,  they  consenting 
"that  the  Lutheran  ministiu-  of  New  York,  at  his  going  to  and  from 
Albany,"  shouhl  visit  Quassaick  parish  twice  in  each  yeai',  for  which 
service  he  should  receive;  the  yearly  rents  and  profits  of  the  (ilebe. 
The  contract  continues  as  follows:  "As  we  (tlu;  trustees  named)  do 
herewith  call,  constitute  and  appoint  Mr.  William  Christoflfen*  Berken- 
mey(!r,  Lutheran  minister  at  New  York,  for  our  hivvfid  teai^her  of  the 
parish  of  Quassaick  to  minister  to  us  twice  a  ycsar,  as  well  in  preach- 
ing thi;  holy  scriptures,  and  the  symbolic-al    books   of  our   Lutheran 


*  "  To  have  and  to  hold  the  s.aid  Glebe  of  five  hundred  acres  of  the  same  tra(!t  of  land 
and  premises  unto  the  aforesaid  Andries  Volok  and  .JacolyWebli«a-,  as  first  triistc^es  during 
tlieir  natural  lives  and  tluir  successors  forever.  Jiut,  to  and  for  the  sole  and  only  proper 
us(;,  benefit  and  behoof  of  a  Lutheran  minister  to  serve  and  liavc^  tlu^  care  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  same  two  thousand  one;  hundred  and  ninety  acn^s  of  land,  und  their  succes- 
sors forever." 

+  All  patents  were  conditioned  upon  the  annual  payment  of  a  quit-rent.  This  payment 
was  sometiuKm  due  in  money,  and  often  in  wheat  or  other  commodity  "Twenty  shillings 
and  one  fat  buck  per  annum  "  was  tlu^  rent  of  the  Evans  patent.  The  nmt  of  ont^  pepper- 
corn im|)lied  a  free  grant.  TIk'  n^iits  of  the  lai'ger  patents  produc'ed  an  annual  revc^nne 
to  th(!  government  of  considerable  amount.  After  tlie  llevolution  tlu^  rents  Ixu'anu!  due 
to  the  state.  In  178G  it  was  provided  tliat  lands  subject  to  these  rents  jnight  b(!  rcileasc^l 
on  the  payment  of  arrears,  and  fourt(!en  shillings  to  every  shilling  of  fhe  annual  dues. 
Many  titl(!S  in  fee  were  obtained  under  this  coinnnitation  ;  therc^  wc^n^  also  many  forfeit- 
ure's and  sales.  The  last  sale  took  place  in  Maridi,  lH2(i,  and  all  the  old  rents  fimilly 
extinguished.  The  arrears  for  (juit-naits,  then  amounting  to  I58,:!H0,  were  in  IKl!)  taken 
from  the  General  fund  and  given  in  ecpial  proportions  to  tlie  Liter-ature  and  School  funds. 


120 


HISTORY  OF  NEWS  URGE. 


clnirch,  as  in  administering  the  holy  sacraments  of  Chinst's  institution, 
promising-  to  pay  him  the  income,  &c.,  and  acknowedg;ing"  him  as  our 
teacher,  as  also  whenever  he  lands  upon  our  shore  to  receive  him, 
and  bring'  him  back  on  board  the  vessel.  Moreover,  since  hitherto 
we  can  make  no  use  of  the  bell  given  to  our  parish,  we  therefore  give 
the  said  bell,  by  oral  permission  of  his  excellency  (Governor  Burnet, 
to  the  Tjutlieran  church  of  New  York.,  However,  on  this  condition,  if 
it  should  happen  that  we  should  be  able  to  build  a  church  of  our  own 
at  any  time  hereafter,  then  the  Lutheran  church  of  New  York  shall 
restore  to  us  the  same  bell,  such  as  it  now  is,  or  another  of  equal 
weight  and  value.  Signed,  sealed,  &c.,  March  8'^  1727."  Mr.  Berk- 
enmyer  served  until  1781,  receiving  thirty  chee^        of  wheat.* 

In  the  year  1733,  Michael  Christian  Knoll  was  appointed  minister 
at  "  Quassaick  creek.  Weapon's  (Wa])])inger's)  creek,  and  Hacken- 
sack."  He  served  in  the  parisli  of  Quassaick  three  times  each  year, 
receiving  thirty   cheeples  of   wheat  each  year.     It  was  during  his 

administration  that  the  Pala- 
tines erected  the  building  re- 
membered by  many  of  the  for- 
mer generation  as  the  Glebe 
school  house,  which  stood  in 
the  burying  ground  on  Liberty 
street.  This  was  their  church. 
The  precise  date  of  its  erection 
can  not  now  be  ascertained. — 
It  was  a  building  of  perhaps 
twenty  feet  square,  with  a  roof 
running  up  from  the  four  sides. 
In  the  center  of  the  r(^of  a  little 
cupola  was  erected  in  which 
hung  the  bell  which  had  been 
loaned  to  the  Lutherans  of 
New  York — the  prior  gift  of 
Queen  Anne.  The  building  was  without  floor  or  chimney,  an  aper- 
ture in  the  roof,  under  the  cupola,  serving  the  latter  purpose.  In 
this  building  the  people  worshiped.  In  their  poverty  it  was  their 
palace;  and  not  less  acceptable  to  the  Great  Ruler  than  the  costly 
edihces  and  gilded  spires  which  men  now  dedicate  to  His  service. 


THE    LUTHERAN    CHUBCH. 


*  The  agreement  quoted  appears  to  have  been  the  result  of  a  misunderstanding  between 
Mr.  Berkenmeyer  and  the  Tahitines,  in  1726,  concerning  the  produce  of  tlie  Glebe  lands, 
to  which  he  considered  himself  entitled  for  his  services,  and  whi(jh  for  some  cause  was 
withheld.  Berkenmeyer  first  laid  liis  complaint  before  the  Governor,  expecting  him  to 
interfere  in  his  b(^half.  The  Governor,  however,  declined  to  act  in  the  matter,  and  wrote 
him  a  letter  pointing  out  his  mode  of  relief,  saying  that  the  courts  of  law  wore  open  to 
him  where  such  cases  were  disposed  of.    The  difiBculty  was  settled  by  this  contract. 


P ARISE  BY  qU ASS AWK.  121 


While  ttiese  events  were  transpiring",  a  considerable  change  occurred 
in  the  population  of  the  settlement.  The  Palatines  were  mainly 
fanners,  and  in  the  places  of  their  nativity  had  occupied  lands  of  the 
richest  and  finest  soil,  and  such  they  song'ht  to  obtain  in  the  New 
V\^)rld.  The  sterile  hills  of  Quassaick  ottered  them  no  such  attrac- 
tion, while  those  of  their  number  who  had  found  their  way  to  Penn- 
sylvania had  realized  their  expectations,  and  pressed  their  former 
neighbors  to  remove  thither.  Under  these  influences  the  majority  of 
them  sold  their  farms.  The  first  sale  was  by  George  Lockstead  and 
Michael  Weigand,  of  the  whole  of  lot  No.  1,  and  half  of  lot  No.  2,  to 
Nathan  Smith,*  from  whom  the  western  part  of  both  lots  was  pur- 
chased by  VVillian^;r!j^)Vvn  as  attorney  for  Governor  William  Burnet,"}" 
and  S(dd  by  him  to  Alexander  Golden,  who  subsequently  sold  tcj  Jona- 
than IIasbrouck.|  The  eastern  part  of  lot  No.  2,  was  sold  by  Michael 
NVeigand  t(j  William  Brown,  for  Governor  Burnet,  and  to  Burger 
Meynders.  The  former  sold  the  southern  half  of  the  lot  to  Alexander 
Golden,  by  whom  it  was  conveyed  (1753)  to  Jt)nathan  Hasbrouck. 
Meynders  occupied  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  lot  until  1753,  when 
he  also  sold  to  Hasbrouck,  who  thus  became  the  owner  of  the  largest 
portion  of  lots  No.  1  and  No.  2.  Lot  No.  8,  was  sold  by  Herman 
Schuneman  to  James  Alexander, §  from  whom  it  was  purchased  by 
Alexander  Golden  and  Burger  Meynders, ||  except  two  acres  at  the 
north-east  corner  reserved  by  Alexander.  Meynders  subsequently 
sold  to  Jonathan  Hasbrouck;  and  Golden  cut  up  a  portion  of  his 
share  into  small  parcels.  Lot  No.  4,  was  sold  by  Ghristian  Henricke 
to  William  Brown,  for  Governor  Burnet,  from  whom  it  was  purcViased 
by  Gadwallader  Golden  for  himself.  Jacobus  Bruyn,  James  Alexander, 
Piiineas  McLitosh,  Daniel  Denton,  Michael  Dunning,  and  Henry  Wile- 
man,  by  whom  it  was  divided  into  lots  and  was  subsequently  known 
as  "The  Old  Town  of  Newburgh  Plot."  |  Lot  No.  5,  granted  to  the 
widow  of  Joshua  Kockerthal,  was  sold  by  her  children  (1741)  to 
James  Smith,  who  sold  one  acre  in  the  south-east  corner  to  Alexander 


*  Nathan  Smith  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  removed  from  Kingston  and  settled 
on  the  patent  to  William  Chambers,  (New  Windsor),  from  whence  he  came  to  the  parish 
of  Quassaick. 

t  "  His  Excellency  Gov.  WiUiani  Burnet,"  is  the  language  of  the  deed.  Gov.  Burnet 
was  a  son  of  the  distinguished  Bishop  Burnet.  He  was  governor  of  the  province  for  a 
few  yeai-s  prior  to  1728. 

X  The  eastern  part  of  lot  No.  1  descended  from  Nathan  Smith  to  Henry  and  Thomas  his 
sons,  and  was  subsequently  purchased  by  James  Keuwick. 

§  James  Alexander  was  the  father  of  Wilham  Alexander,  who  served  as  an  officer  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  and  who  is  familiarly  known  in  history  as  Lord  Stirling.  He 
attained  considerable  distinction  in  the  colony,  and  was  largely  interested  in  lands,  not 
only  in  what  is  now  Orange  county,  but  in  other  parts  of  the  State. 

II  Son  of  the  original  patentee. 

IT  The  reader  will  not  confound  this  title  with  that  of  "  Old  Town,"  by  which  the  Glebe 
lauds  have  been  known  in  more  modern  times.  Christian  Henricke's  land  (lot  No.  4,)  was 
that  section  of  the  present  city  of  Newburgh  lying  between  First  street  and  Western 
avenue.    It  will  be  referred  to  hereafter  as  being  the  first  to  bear  the  name  of  Newburgh. 


122  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

Golden:  the  remainder  descended  to  Benjamin  Smith.  Lot  No.  6,  the 
first  one  nortli  of  the  Glebe,  was  sold  by  Burger  Meynders  to  Burras 
Holmes.  Lot  No.  7,  was  sold  by  Jacob  Webber  to  Zacharias  Hofman, 
Au<j-ust  5th,  1724.  Lots  Nos.  8  and  9,  were  sold  by  Johannes  Fischer 
and  Andries  Volck  to  Zacharias  Hofman,  February  20th,  1722.* 
Hofman  held  the  lots  until  his  death,  when  they  were  sold  by  his  heirs. 
These  changes  brought  the  (ilebe  lands  into  occupation  to  some  extent 
by  tlie  families  of  the  original  settlers  or  their  descendants  who  had 
not  removed  from  the  place,  and  by  strangers  who  had  rented  them; 
they  also  brought  to  the  Golden  plots  a  number  of  inmiigrants. 

To  the  original  settlers  the  new-comers  were  known  as  "  the  Dutch 
and  English  new  inhabitants,"  terms  which  may  be  understood  to 
mean  "members  of  the  English  and  Reformed  Dutch  churches." 
Their  acquisition  was  nK)st  i'avorable  to  the  growth  of  the  place.  The 
association  of  which  Governor  Golden  was  the  representative,  was 
influential,  and  the  fact  tliat  they  had  established  a  township  plot  on 
the  tract  was  soon  noised  abroad.  Daniel  Denton,  so  well  known  in 
Long  Island  history,  apparently  took  considerable  interest  in  the 
matter  and  sent  to  the  place  his  son  James,  and  his  neighbor  Richard 
Albertson.  Duncan  Alexander,  the  son  of  James  Alexander,  was  also 
added  to  the  list  of  inhabitants;  while  conspicuous  in  his  efforts  to 
induce  settlements  on  the  tract  was  Alexander  G<jlden,  who,  in  fiirther- 
ance  of  the  interest  which  he  held,  obtained  (1743)  the  charter  for 
the  present  Newburgh  ferry,  and  at  about  the  same  time  erected  a 
grist-mill  on  the  Quassaick.  From  a  German  settlement  the  place 
had  passed,  in  1743,  almost  wholly  under  the  control  of  the  Scotch- 
English,  and  had  been  inchoately  christened  with  the  Scotch  name  of 
Newburgh.  Such  possibilities  as  they  saw  in  the  "  uplands "  on 
which  the  Palatines  had  almost  starved,  to  the  latter  were  not  vouch- 
safed, or  if  they  were,  they  were  without  the  means  to  secure. 

The  increase  in  population  brought  with  it  also  a  change  in  the 
civil  organizati(m  of  the  district.  When  they  were  first  established 
on  the  patent,  the  Palatines  were  not  given  local  officers;  justices 
and  constables  do  not  appear  to  have  been  known  to  them;  the  com- 
mission of  crime  is  not  rec(»rded  against  them:  their  church  was  their 
government.  Yet  civil  authority  was  made  accessible  to  them,  and 
the  hand  of  the  government  extended  to  them  in  tlie  collection  of 
taxes,  as  part  of  the  specifically  undefined  territory  of  the  precinct  of 
the  Highlands,  which  was  created  for  that  purpose  by  an  order  of  the 
court  of  sessions  of  Ulster  county,  September  5,  1710.  More  definite 
boundaries  and  a  move  limited  territory  were  given  to  the  precinct  in 


*  The  deeds  from  Webber  and  Volck  are  recorded  in  the  UlHter  county  records.    Webber 
sold  for  £110,  and  Volck  and  Fischer  for  £130,  "  to  be  divided  between  them." 


PARISH  BY  QUA SSA lOK.  123 


1743,*  at  which  time  "the  parish  by  Quassaick"  had  become  a  com- 
paratively important  portion  of  its  composition. 

But  to  the  church  of  tlie  Palatines  the  influx  of  population  was 
disastrous;  under  its  touch  this  last  link  of  tlieir  association  was 
dissolved.  Resuming-  the  record,  we  find  that  Zacliarias  Hofman,  one 
of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe,  died  in  1744,  and  that  <ui  the  23d  of  June 
in  the  same  year.  Burger  Meynders,  Jr.,  was  elected  as  his  successor 
and  "Tobias  Weigand  anew  confirmed,  which  was  done  in  the  church 
there;  none  of  the  English  and  Dutch  new  inhabitants  appearing, 
although  they  were  knowing  to  our  election."  Three  years  later,  on 
the  22d  of  July,  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the  patent,  a  meeting  of  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  was  held;  and  the  new  inhabitants,  who 
were  there  in  force,  elected  "  Mr.  Alexander  Golden  and  Mr.  Richard 
Albertson  for  their  trustees,"  who  took  innnediate  steps  to  open  the 
church  to  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  one  of  whom,  the 
Rev.  Hezekiah  Watkins,  was  then  stationed  in  the  district. 

The  record  continues:  "Our  (the  Lutheran)  minister  coming  there, 
did  preach  the  12th  of  July,  without  speaking  to  the  new  trustees. 
Sunday  the  19th,  tlie  cluncli  was  full  of  people,  taken  out  of  the 
country  from  both  sides  of  tlie  river.  Some  justices  of  the  peace, 
and  some  with  swords  and  sticks,  were  there  in  the  church,  in  presence 
of  the  English  minister,  Mr.  Watkings,  who  was  come  there  the  first 
time  the  same  Sunday.  Our  minister,  after  oral  and  public  protest  at 
the  door  of  the  churcli,  went  into  a  private  house  upon  the  Glebe,  to 
do  divine  worship  for  the  Lutherans. f  In  the  year  1748,  the  3d  July, 
our  minister  preached  in  the  church,  to  which  Mr.  Albertson  did  con- 
sent, because  the  English  minister  was  not  to  come  there  that  Sunday; 
but  Mr.  Golden  did  prohibit  the  church.  The  2d  October  our  minister 
was  preaching  in  the  church  without  speaking  with  the  new  trustees." 

This  appears  to  have  been  the  last  visit  made  by  "our  minister," 
Mr.  Michael  Ghristian  Knoll.  In  behalf  of  himself  and  others,  he 
presented  to  Governcn'  Glinton  a  petition,  dated  May  12,  1749,  setting 
forth  the  facts  of  the  case  substantially  as  here  given,  stating  further 
"  that  the  Lutheran  inhabitants  living  on  the  said  granted  lands,  being 
now  reduced  to  a  small  number,  the  present  inhabitants  have  taken 
occasion  to  deprive  your  petitioners  of  the  said  church  and  Glebe; 


*  Ante  p.  36,  37,  38. 

t  The  tradition  connected  with  this  affair  is,  that  tlie  Lutlieraus  attempted  a  forcible 
ejectment  of  the  new  inhaliitants,  but  failed.  In  the  melee  the  dt>or  of  the  church  was 
forced  from  its  hinges  and  one  bulky  Lutheran  buried  beneath  it  as  it  fell.  He  escaped 
with  a  few  bruises,  and  the  assailants  retreated  with  most  woeful  countenances. 

There  is  another  tradition,  that  the  bell,  previously  noticed,  was  taken  from  its  place 
secretly  at  night,  and  hidden  in  the  swamp  on  the  lands  lately  owned  by  William  P.  C. 
Smith,  deceased;  in  which  place  it  remained  for  thirty  or  forty  y(^ars,  when  it  was  acci- 
dentally discovered,  and  returned  to  its  proper  place.  The  bc^U  was  subsequently  placed 
in  the  cupola  of  the  Academy,  where  it  remained  until  1831  or  '32, 


124  HISTORY  OF  NEWBVRGH. 

and  have  lately  hindered  your  petitioner,  Michael  Christian  Knoll, 
IVoni  iterforming  service  in  it,  and  forbade  the  tenants  to  pay  the  rents 
to  your  said  petitioner,  pretending-  that  the  said  Glebe  and  church 
have  reverted  to  the  crown  for  want  of  Lutheran  inhabitants  to  enjoy 
tlieni,  notwithstanding-  your  petitioners  do  aver,  that  within  a  conve- 
nient distance  from  the  said  lands  as  great  a  number  of  Lutheran 
fainilies  are  living  as  an^  sufficient  to  make  a  congregation  for  divine 
service  at  those  times  when  your  petitioner,  Michael  Christian  Knoll, 
by  his  agreement  is  called  to  preach  at  that  place.  Your  petitioners 
therefore  most  humbly  pray  your  excellency  to  grant  to  your  peti- 
tioners, the  minister  and  consistory  of  the  Protestant  Lutheran  Church 
of  New  York,  letters  patent  to  confirm  the  said  church  and  five  hun- 
dred acres  of  land,  for  the  use  of  a  Lutheran  minister  for  the  benefit 
of  the  said  Lutlierans  in  that  neighborhood,"  &c.  Aiujther  petition 
on  the  same  subject  was  submitted  to  the  Governor,  by  the  same 
parties,  on  the  5tii  of  October,  1749,  in  which  it  is  positively  asserted 
that  "  there  live  as  tenants  upon  the  Glebe  and  thereabout,  on  both  sides 
of  the  river,  more  than  thirty  families  "  of  the  Lutheran  confession. 
This  paper  and  the  documents  accompanying  it  were  read  before  the 
council,  October  29,  and  the  memorandum  in  reference  to  their  dispo- 
sition is:  "Read,  and  council  of  opinion  that  nothing  can  be  done  in 
this  petitit»n."  In  other  words,  the  terms  of  the  charter  having  been 
complied  with  in  the  election  of  trustees,  the  council  refused  to  set 
the  result  aside. 

The  decision  of  the  council  practically  terminated  "  The  Palatine 
Parish  by  Quassaick,"  the  original  members  of  which  had  long  previ- 
ously removed  from  it,  or  had  been  laid  away  in  its  quiet  church-yard. 
As  a  people,  they  were  earnest,  good  men  and  women.  Wherever 
they  or  their  neighbors  of  subsequent  immigrations  are  met,  their 
record  compares  favorably  with  that  of  the  immigrants  from  any 
other  country.  No  citizens  of  more  substantial  worth  are  found  under 
the  flag  of  this  their  native  land  than  their  descendants;  no  braver 
men  were  in  the  armies  of  the  Revolution  than  Herkimer  and  Muhlen- 
berg. Had  they  done  nothing  in  the  parish  but  made  clearings  in  its 
forests  and  planted  fields,  they  would  be  entitled  to  grateful  remem- 
brance; they  did  more — they  gave  to  it  its  first  church,  and  its  first 
government;  and  in  all  its  subsequent  history  their  descendants  have 
had  a  part.  We  close  their  record  with  wonder,  not  that  they 
accomplished  so  little,  but  that  they  accomplished  so  much. 


PARISH  OF  NE  WB  UE  GH.  125 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    PARISH    OF    NEWBURGH — SETTLEMENT    OF    ADJOINING     PATENTS — PRECINCT 

OFFICERS — REVOLUTIONARY    EVENTS — THE    TOWN    OF    NEWBURGH THE 

GLEBE    IN    THE    HANDS    OF    THE    PEOPLE— THE    VILLAGE 
OF    NEWBURGH INFIDELITY. 


THE  affairs  of  the  Palatine  or  Lutheran  church  and  of  the  Glebe 
remained  in  the  position  which  has  been  stated  until  1751, 
when  Edmund  Concklin,  Jr.,  William  Ward,  Jacob  Wandel,  James 
Denton,  William  Smith,  Richard  Albertson,  Thomas  Ward,  John 
Wandel,  Caklass  Leveridge,  Henry  Smith,  William  Mitchell,  Alex- 
ander Colden,  Nathan  Furman,  Daniel  Thurston,  Michael  Deniott,  and 
Duncan  Alexander,  presented  a  petition  to  Governor  Clinton  and 
council,  praying  for  letters  patent  conveying  to  themselves  and  their 
successors  the  Glebe  lands,  with  a  view  to  establish  and  maintain  a 
minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  a  school-master;  with  power 
to  divide  the  Glebe  so  as  to  reserve  two  hundred  acres  for  the  use  of 
a  minister  and  school-master,  and  cut  up  tlie  remaining  three  hundred 
acres  into  lots  of  one  acre  each,  which  lots  instead  of  being  leased 
for  seven  years  should  be  leased  forever,  the  lease-holder  paying  an 
annual  rent;  and  also  with  power  to  "  h(jld  a  fair  on  the  said  lands  on 
the  second  Tuesdays  in  April  and  October  annually." 

Notwithstanding  the  earnest  remonstrance  of  the  Lutherans,  the 
governor  issued  a  warrant  to  William  Smith,  Esq.,  "  ITis  Majesty's 
Attorney-General,"  directing  him  to  "  prepare  a  draft  of  letters  patent 
to  Alexander  Colden  and  Richard  Albertson,  trustees,  &c.,  for  tlie 
Glebe  land  of  Quassaick,  in  the  county  of  Ulster,"  in  accordance  with 
the  terms  of  the  petition,  the  lands  to  be  held  by  the  "said  Alexander 
Colden  and  Richard  Albertson,  as  first  trustees,  during  their  natural 
lives,  and  to  their  successors  forever,  for  the  sole  use  and  behoof  of  a 
minister  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  and  a 
school-master,  to  have  the  care  of  souls  and  the  instruction  of  the 
children  of  the  neighboring  inhabitants." 

This  was  followed  by  a  legal  surrender,  on  the  part  of  Colden  and 
Albertson,   of  the   lands    held    by  them    as  trustees  under  the  first 


126  HIS  TOE  r  OF  NE  YVB  UR  OH. 


patent;  and  on  tlic  2()tli  day  of  March,  1752,  the  Icttcis  patoiit  previ- 
ously ordered  by  the  <;-overiior  and  couneil  were  issued,  "  constitutinj;- 
them  and  their  stu'eessois  one  body  corpt»rate  and  politic,  in  fact  and 
name,  by  the  name  of  the  Parixh  of  Newburijh T  iind  veslin,<;-  in  them 
the  lands  in  (juestiou  in  trust  "for  the  proper  use,  benelit  and  behoof 
of  a  minister  of  the  t'hureh  of  Kno'laiid,  as  by  law  established,  to 
have  the  eare  of  souls  of  the  aforesaid  tract  of  211)0  acres  of  hind, 
and  of  a  school-master  to  teach  and  instruct  the  diildren  of  tlie  afore- 
said iidial)itaids,  and  their  successors  torever,  and  to  no  other  use 
whatever."  Tiie  patent  further  g'ranted  to  tlie  trustees  and  tlieir 
successors  "  free  and  full  liberty  and  license  to  hold  and  keep  a  public 
fair  upon  the  tract  of  500  acres  on  tli(>  second  Tuesdays  in  Ai)ril 
and  October  in  every  year  forever  hereafter,  where,  as  well  all  the 
inhabitants  of  the  aforesaid  tract  of  2100  acres  oi"  land,  as  those  in 
the  neighboring"  settlements  and  count i«>s,  and  all  other  persons  what- 
soever, may  buy  and  sell  any  horses,  sheep  and  cattle,  or  any  goods, 
wares  and  merchandise  whatsoever,  without  |)aying  any  toll  or  other 
fees  tor  the  same."* 

The  provision  for  the  maintenance  of  a  school-master,  and  for  an 
annual  fair,  as  well  as  the  denomination  of  the  minister,  were  new 
features  in  the  patent.  Another  new  feature  was  the  chaiig'e  efl'ecte<l  in 
the  name  of  the  settlement.  Under  the  tirst  |)atent  it  had  borne,  as  we 
have  shown,  the  title  of  Quassaick;  and  by  this  name  the  place  was 
legally  known  until  tlu'  grant  of  the  new  patent,  in  which  it  was 
expressly  directed  that  the  settlement  should  be  called  "the  Parisli  of 
Newburgh."  Pri>vious  to  the  legal  application  of  this  name  the  place 
had  been  calh'd  Newburgh  by  the  "  ni'w  inhabitants,"  as  already 
stated, f  but  at  what  precise  period  can  not  now  be  ascertained.  In 
the  petition  o'i  Alexander  Colden,  May  21,  1713,  asking  for  letters 
patent  to  establish  a  ferry,  it  is  said,  "  at  a  place  now  connnonly  called 
Newburgh  patent."  In  the  petition  of  Colden,  Albertson  and  others, 
Nov.  4,  1751,  it  is  said:  "at  a  place  called  Quassaick,  now  connnt)nly 
called  Newburgh  patent,  in  Ulster  county."  As  both  of  these  papers 
were  drawn  by  Colden,  and  as  the  name  is  not  found  in  any  documents 
prior  to  1713,  it  would  seem  that  to  Colden  belongs  the  honor  of 
having  conferred  the  title  which  the  town  and  the  city  now  bear. 
The  name  is  of  Saxon  origin,  the  word  new  being-  the  English  orthog'- 


♦  Such  faira  are  very  common  in  England  and  Germany.  In  many  of  tlio  counties  of 
the  province  they  were  establisliod  by  special  enactment  of  the  Assembly  at  an  early 
period.  The  fairs  were  held  on  the  spot  above  named  down  to  the  stormv  times  of  the 
Revolution,  were  resumed  after  the  war,  and  were  held  at  different  periods  as  late  as  1805, 
at  which  time  they  had  dcfjenerated  into  mere  exhibitions  of  race-horses.  The  last  fair 
of  which  any  record  has  been  preserved,  was  held  on  Tuesday,  October  14,  1805,  when 
a  pninium  of  f200  was  awarded  "  to  the  jockey  riding  the  best  horse  on  the  course  of 
Benjamin  Case."' 

t  "The  Old  Town  of  Newburgh  Plot"— ante  p.  121. 


A   ROUGH    MAP   OF  THE   GLEBE-1753. 


rARISII  OF  NEWBURGII.  127 


rii|)liy  for  tlii!  Saxon  neow,  and  hur-gh  is  the  Saxon  hurg  with  the 
Etig-lish  addition  of  the  letter  h* 

One  of  the  first  (official  acts  of  the  trustees  under  the  new  patent 
was  the  division  of  th(!  (Ilc^hc  into  streets  and  lots,  ilir  dcsi^nati)!}]^ 
of  portions  for  the  minister  and  school-inaster,  and  the  repair  and 
seating'  of  the  ehureli  building'.  Soon  after,  a  map  was  [)re[)ared 
showing  the  location  of  the  stntets  and  lots.  This  map,  indorsed  "A 
Hough  Map  ol'  the  (Jh'hc  Land  of  the  Parish  of  N(;wl»ui'gh,"  is  of 
interest  for  reference.  T]u'  streets  laid  out  on  it  an^  continc^d  t(»  the 
(!lcl»c,  with  th(!  exc(![)tiori  of  King  street,  and  are:  King',  now  Lib- 
erty; Second,  now  (irand;  Ilasbrouek,  now  Moidgomery;  Water, 
S(»utii,  (Jlinton,  Broad,  and  North.  The  stre(!ts  named,  however,  with 
the  exce|)tion  of  King  and  South  streets,  were  not  opened  until  a 
subsequent  period. f  The  htts  were  occupied  as  follows:  No.  1,  by 
tlie  church;  2,  l)y  three  buildings  owned  by  John  Morrel  and  Doct. 
Morrison;  I},  one  dwelling  by  William  Wanl;  4,  one  dwelling  by 
Henry  Bend;  5,  one  dwelling'  unoccupied;  G,  one  dwelling  by  Joseph 
Albertson;  7,  two  dwellings  by  Martin  Weigand;  25,  one  dwc-lling 
by  Henry  Don;  25),  one  dwelling  by  William  Ward;  41,  one  dwelling 
by  William  Ward,  Jr.  The  remaining  lots  wer(?  without  buildings 
and  occupied  as  follows:  No.  8,  John  M.  Young;  9  and  10,  Patrick 
McCary ;  1 1 ,  Thomas  Waters;  12,  24,  80,  48  and  00,  Alexander  Brower; 
18,  Samuel  Sands;  14,  Mornd  and  Morrison;  15  and  40,  William 
Ward,  Jr.;  1(5  and  89,  Joshiui  Sands;  18,  58,  63  and  05,  Joseph 
Albertson;  19,  81  and  48,  J<mas  Denton;  20,  32  and  44,  Samuel 
Denton;  21,  Isaac  Brown;  22,  Morris  P'owler;  23,  Thomas  Brown; 
20,  Charles  McC.ary;  28  and  71,  Abel  Belknap;  38  and  45,  Jonathan 
Ilasbrouek;  84,  85,  40,  47,  58,  59  and  70,  Thomas  Morrel;  87,  Robert 
Morrison;  38,  William  Miller;  42,  Th(mias  Ward;  50,  57  and  09,  David 
Connor;  51,  Thaddeus  Smith;  52  and  04,  Jeremiah  Ward;  55  and  07, 
James  Tidd;  00,  Nathan  Smith;  73,  Isaac  Belknap;  17,  49,  54,  56,  61, 
02  and  08,  and  those  west  of  King  street,  vacant. 

The  records  throw  litth;  additional  light  upon  the  period  between 
the  transfer  of  the  Glebe  t(j  Colden  and  Albertson,  and  the  events 


*  It  in  reasonable  to  presiimo  tliat  had  the  name  been  conferred  by  the  GermanH,  in 
honor  of  the  Elector  John  William,  of  the  house  of  Newburg,  it  would  not  have  been 
written  with  the  final  /(. 

+  The  marginal  notcH  on  this  map  are  as  follows  :  "  Lots  Nos.  1  and  27  are  reserved  for 
church  and  church-yards,  and  No.  72  for  a  p»il)lic  landing  and  ship-yard.  The  owners  of 
the  lots  below  King  street  are  :  Capt.  Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  No.  33  and  45  ;  Samuel  Den- 
ton, No.  20,  32  and  44  ;  Jonathan  Denton,  No.  31,  43  and  19;  John  Morrel  and  Doct. 
Morrison,  No.  2  and  14  :  Wm.  Ward,  Jr.,  No.  3, 15, 64  and  76  ;  Joseph  Albertson,  No.  6, 18, 
53,  63,  65,  67  ;  Martin  Weigand  and  others,  No.  7  ;  Patrick  McCary,  No.  9  and  10 ;  Alex- 
ander Brower,  No.!  H,  12,  23,  24,  36,  48  and  60 ;  Thomas  Morreh  No.  10,  22,  34,  46,  50, 
59,  35,  47,  70  ;  Abel  Belknap,  No.  71  and  20  ;  Isaac  Belknap,  No.  73.  N.  B.— South  street, 
Broad  street  and  North  street  are  each  two  chains  wide  ;  and  all  the  rest  each  one  chain. 
Each  lot  contains  one  acre  of  land,  and  is  three  chains  and  eighty-three  links  in  length 
and  two  chains  and  sixty-five  links  in  breadth." 


128 


lusroRY  OF  NmvBinunr. 


Ill 


III 


...iiiu'(li;it('ly  i>riH'tMiiiiu'  tlic  lu'vulutiDii.  Tlic  IVw  farts  that  wc  liavi' 
g-atluM't'd,  lidwcvcr,  arc  worthy  a  passiiiii'  imtii'c  in  this  history,  as 
th«\v  stMvc  to  iiuliratc  llic  |>roi>-irs8  of  the  paiisli.  It  was  diiriiii;-  this 
pcrioil  that  the  triist('(>s  ol'  the  (!h>l>t'  cnH-tini  a  i-t'si(liMK'(>  for  their 
iiiistcr.  and  a  ri'sidiMU'c  and  scliool-houso*  roiiil>inod  for  their  srliool- 

niastor.  'flir  foiinci'  was  a 
bnihlin*;'  about  tliiitv-livc  feet 
s(]nai'(\  a  siiii;"U'  story  and  attic 
in  hci^'lit,  with  a  rinU"  jiortii'o. 
It  stood  on  the  j)arsoiiai;'e  h«t 
on  the  west  side  o['  what  is 
now  Liberty  street,  just  iiortli 
o['  (lidney  avenue.  It  was 
hi'ri'  that  lU'/.ekiah  Watkins, 
the  fust  Kni;-lish  uiinistor.  resi- 
iKnl.  The  buihiiiii;"  ei>n(inued 
THK  PAKsoNAiiK.  to  bo  oeeiijiied  as  a  parsonagH" 

until  after  the  eoiuiiieneeiiienl  o\'  llie  revobitionary  war,  and  siibse- 
tjiUMitly  beeaiiie  a  tenant  house,  'flie  sehoobniaster's  hoiiS(>  was  a 
buihiinj;'  ot  siiiii- 
hir  eonstriu'tion. 
and  stood  on  tlie 
si'  h  o  o  1  -master's 
h)t  on  wi'st  si(h' 
of  liberty,  nearly 
opposite  (Million 
street.  It  had  no 
portieo,  but  was 
det'per  tlian  tlie 
parsoiiag-e  house, 
the  si'hool  -  room 
boins;'  plaeed  in 
the  rear.  In  this 
rudiiiiental  eol- 
K\i^'e  lliitehins  and  Spierin  presided,  and  n"ave  iiistruetiou  on  the  ohl- 
fasliioneil  rule  of  Oaboll  and  bireh  roils;  inadi"  i;"ood  seholars  in 
"  reatlin-;-,  writing-  and  arithmetie,"  and  g-radiiated  at  least  two  melio- 
rations of  worthy  members  of  society. 

In  17(57,  doiin  Mtu'rtd  and  Joseph  .\lbertsoii  petitioned  (Jovernor 
llenrv  Moore  for  the  establisliiuiMit  t»f  more  taverns  at  Newburi>'li.  In 
this  petition  it  is  stated  "that  on  ttu>  tilelu'  land  there  are  about  sov- 


THK   SCHOOL-HOUSE. 


•  It  has  been  supposed  that  the  Glebe  school  was  kept  in  tlie  old  eluiR'h;  but  this  is  a 
mistake.    The  elunvh  was  not  used  as  a  sohool-honso  until  alter  18()i. 


PARISH  OF  NEWliURGII. 


129 


eritccn  dwelling'  houses,*  wliicli  are  siliiated  at  or  close  l)y  a  very 
jjuhlic  laii(linf>-  [)lacefoii  llndsoii's  river,  wliitlier  iiiaiiy  people  Iroiii 
the  liack  parts  of  the  coiiiitry  bring-  their  produce  to  send  it  t(i  New 
York,  having' at  least  three  boats  Ixdongiiig  to  the  |)lace  thatcoustautly 
go  from  thence  to  New  York  and  return  back  again  with  goods,  which 
creates  a  very  consideral)le  trade;;"  that  in  oi'der  to  acconunodatc* 
tliis  trade,  it  iiad  been  thought  ucicessary,  lor  several  years  previous, 
"to  permit  taverns  or  public  houses  to  be  set  up  at  or  neni'  the 
said  landing"  for  the  better  "entertainment  of  the  country  [)eople; 
that  "until  al)out  two  years  ago,"  one  of  tlie  petitioners  had  been 
])erniitted  to  set  up  a  tavern  and  retail  li(|uors,  and  kcspt  "a  very 
good  and  orderly  house."  |  Notwithstanding  th(!HC  facts,  "one  .James 
McClaglii'y,  one  (tf  the  commissionei's  for  colhscting  the  duty  of  excisi; 
for  strong  li(iuors,  &c.,  in  the  county,"  had  I'cfused  to  grant  permits 
to  tlie   petition(;rs;  but  had   "grantcnl    a  permit  only  to  one   Mai'tin 

Wygant,§  who  pays  thnu;  fXMinds 
i'lii'  tli(!  excise,  whereas  all  the  re- 
tailers together  in  the  place  when 
lliey  were  permitted  did  not  pay 
moi'c  than  two  pounds."  The  peti- 
tioners urged  the  "absolute  neces- 
sity for  at  least  three  or  four  tav- 
erns at  tiie  said  landing  place,  to 
acc^ommodate  the  C(iunti'y  people, 
travelers  and  passengers;"  and  that 
unless  so  many  tavei'iis  were  licensed,  the  place  would  "  become  of  no 
account  and  be  deserted  by  its  inhabitants."  The  petition  bears  date 
February  4tli,  1707;  and  (he  statements  contained  in  it  are  certified 
to  by  eighty-threes  persons  "  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  I'lstcr," 
whose  names  show  the  change  in  the  poi)ulation  of  the  settlement. 
What  answer  was  given  to  this  petition  does  not  appear;  but  as 
the  place  has  since  Ix'come  of  some  "account,"  it  is  reasonable  to 
snpi)ose  that  the  |)rayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  that  the 
dire  calamities  predicted,  in  case  of  refusal,  were  thus  averted.  It  is 
a  little  amusing  to  note  the  language  of  tiie  inhabitaids  of  tiiis  august 


weioand's  i'avebn — 17(>7. 


*  The  number  of  dwellingH  Jkto  p;iv(!n  establishes  tho  prior  date  of  the  map  at  page  127 

t  What  was  afterwards  known  as  Powell's  dock,  at  the  foot  of  First  street. 

it  Joseph  Alhertson  was  tlu^  person  horc^  referred  to.  His  house  was  on  Liberty  street, 
south  of  ]}r()ad. 

§  Martin  Wc^igand's  tavern,  represented  in  the  (uigraving,  stood  on  tlie  north  side  of 
JJroad  street,  near  LilxTty.  It  was  a  wwrv,  log-cabin  with  a  frame  additiim.  During  thi^ 
encainpinent  at  Newlnu'gh,  fitiueral  Wayne  hail  his  quarters  ther<^  About  1780  VVeigand 
r(!inoved  to  a  more  (sonumxlious  building  on  Liberty  street,  just  north  of  the  burying- 
ground,  and  the  old  tavcTii  was  ocou|)ied  i)v  the  father  of  (}en.  John  E.  Wf)ol,  and  was  tho 
birth  ])lace  of  that  olliccr.  Martin  Weigand  was  a  grandson  of  the  original  settler, 
Michael  Weigand. 

09 


130  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


village  of  "about  seventeen  houses,"  and  their  reference  to  "people 
from  the  country."  *  • 

We  next  have,  under  date  of  November  17,  1769,  a  petition  to  Cad- 
vvalhider  Colden,  lieutenant  governor,  and  at  that  time  acting  governor 
of  tlu;  province,  asking  for  a  charter  for  the  Newburgh  Mission.  This 
petition  is  signed  by  John  Sayre,  missionary;  Chas.  Robie,  Cad.  Col- 
den, Jr.,  Samuel  Fowler,  and  Joseph  Watkins,  vestrymen;  and  Robert 
Carscaden,  Andrew  Graham,  and  Josiuh  Gilbert,  church  wardens;  and 
recites:  "that  by  the  pious  donations  of  several  persons"  the  mission 
was  then  in  possession  of  sundry  tracts  of  land  "now  held  f()r  the 
cliurch  by  deeds  of  trust  only;"  and  that  from  "the  inconvenience 
arising  from  this  and  sundry  other  matters"  in  which  the  good  of  the 
church  was  essentially  concerned,  the  petitioners  humbly  prayed  for  a 
royal  charter,  which  was  granted. 

In  1770,  April  1(5,  John  Sayre,  missionary,  Samuel  P\)wler,  William 
Ellison,  John  Ellison,  Stephen  Wiggins,  Leonard  Smith,  Samuel 
Winslow,  and  Nathan  Purdy,  petitioned  Governor  Colden  for  "  a, 
royal  cliarter  of  incor[)oration  of  St.  George's  church,  in  the  parish  of 
Newburgh,  and  county  of  Ulster,"  which  was  granted,  f 

Passing  fnim  tlie  parish  of  Newburgh  to  the  adjoining  patents, 
which  have  been  enumerated,  |  the  following  facts  are  of  record  in 
regard  to  their  original  proprietors  and  to  their  sale  and  settlement: 

The  Baird  patent  was  issued  to  Alexander  Baird,  Abraham  Van 
Vlecque,  and  Hermanns  Johnson.  It  was  sold  to  Governor  William 
Burnet,  who  through  his  attorney,  William  Brown,  of  Salem,  Mass., 
sold  250  acres  to  Arthur  McKinny,  April  24,  1745;  250  acres  to 
Andrew  Todd,  June  1,  1749;  and  twenty-six  lots,  numbered  from  four 
to  thirty,  to  Samuel  Belknap,  December  25,  1749.  The  latter  sold 
thirteen  of  the  lots  to  his  brother  Thomas, §  in  1754;  one  lot  to  Mor- 


*  Tlie  si<?iiaturos  are  :  Samuel  Falls,  Edward  Falls,  Isaac  Hodge,  Thomas  Orr,  Henry 
Smith,  Thomas  Smith,  Jacob  Gillis,  Saml.  Fowler,  John  Stilwill,  Jas.  Demot,  Joel  Holmes, 
Isaac  Demot,  Daniel  Denton,  John  Flewwelling,  Abel  Flewwelling,  Josiah  Cone,  Daniel 
Dm-land,  Silas  Leonard,  Nathl.  Conklin,  James  Denton,  John  Alston,  Burrughs  Holmes, 
Henry  Terboss,  John  Porter,  William  Harding,  Lemuel  Conkhn,  Hendrick  Cropsey,  Joseph 
Hallett,  Jacob  Haiett,  John  Flewwelling,  Mauris  Flewwelling,  Tunes  Dalson,  JohtiDalson, 
Jacob  Douchtout,  Corneles  Gale,  Thomas  Hard.  John  Elsworth,  Benjamin  Totten,  Josha- 
way  Conklin,  John  Truesdell,  Gilbert  Purdy,  Nathan  Purdy,  Isaiah  Purdy,  Joshua  Purdy, 
Leonard  Smith,  Luff  Smith,  Anning  Smith,  Daniel  Smith,  Gilbert  DentonJ  Pete  Ston,  John 
Wier,  Hen.  A.  Gamble,  Nathan  Purdy,  Elijali  Carman,  Nehemiah  Denton,  James  Tound- 
send,  Isaac  Brown,  Stephen  Albertson,  Obadiah  Smith,  Da^id  Wyatt,  Hezekiah  Wyatt, 
Thadeus  Smith,  John  Wandle,  Isaac  Shults,  John  Carman,  William  Ward,  Robert  Morri- 
son, Mary  Wilson,  widow,  John  Fox,  Stephen  Hooper,  John  Hallen,  John  Vangonder, 
Benjamin  Smith,  Elnathan  Foster,  Wm.  Booyls,  llobert  Car  Harding,  Thos.  Morrel,  Danl. 
AcCor,  John  Bride,  Jacob  Wandel,  Jacob  Ansell,  Wm.  Whitehead,  Richard  Albertson. 

t  This  charter  is  still  preserved  in  the  archives  of  St.  George's  church.  It  was  granted 
May  2d,  1770. 

+  Ante  p.  112. 

§  Belknap  paid  £1500  for  the  lots,  and  sold  one  half  of  them  to  his  brother  Thomas  for 
£826.  At  that  time  it  required  ten  pounds  (olfl  tenor)  to  make  one  pound  sterling. 
Belknap  paid,  therefore,  £150  sterling,  or  $:J75  (New  York  standard),  for  his  lots.  This 
rule  of  computing  poimds  will  apply  to  all  other  sales  of  lands  at  that  time  or  prior. 


SETTLEMENT  OF  PATENTS.  131 


gan  Powell,  in  1761;  part  of  a  lot  to  Josiah  Talket,  in  1765;  part  of 
a  lot  to  Felix  McLannen,  in  1765;  part  of  a  lot  to  James  Stickney,  in 
1766;  four  lots  to  Isaac  Belknap,  in  1763;  four  lots  to  Abel  Belknap 
and  four  to  David  Belknap,  in  1766.  Thomas  Belknap  sold  one  lot  to 
Samuel  Sprao-ue,  in  1761,  and  part  of  a  lot  to  Robert  Beattie.  Beat- 
tie  was  also  the  purchaser  of  a  lot  from  William  Brown  in  1769.  The 
Belknaps  and  tlu^  purchasers  from  them,  with  thc^  exception  of  Beattie, 
were  Massachust'tts  people,  and  were  the  first  principal  colonists  of 
New  England  who  removed  hither.  For  a  number  of  years  their 
settlement  was  known  as  Btdknap's  ridge,  but  more  recently  has  been 
classed  as  Coldenham  from  the  district  post  office  of  that  name. 

The  Kip))  iind  Cruger  patent  was  issued  to  Jacobus  Kipp,  John 
Cruger,  Philip  ('ortlandt,  David  Provost,  Oliver  Schuyler,  and  John 
Schuyl<M\  It  included  the  district  east,  north  and  west  of  Orange 
lake,  and  adjoined  the  Baird  patent  on  the  south.*  It  was  the  most 
densely  timbered,  and  the  latest  in  occupation  of  any  of  the  patents 
except  that  to  Bradley  and  Jamison.  It  was  divided  into  six  parts, 
which  wei'e  sub-divided  into  farm  lots.  Early  deeds  are  not  recorded; 
but  tradition  aftirms  that  Silas  Gardner,  with  a  number  of  lumbermen, 
entered  the  district  on  the  south-east,  in  1767,  and  established  the  set- 
tlement known  as  Oardnertown.  Henry  W.  Kipp  held  a  very  consider- 
able portion  of  Jacobus  Kipp's  share,  and  is  said  to  have  built,  prior 
to  the  Revolution,  the  house  now  occupied  by  Jeromus  Thorne,  and 
to  have  called  the  place  "  his  Rocky  Forest."  Nicholas  Stevens  was 
a  purchaser  from  him.  William  Lu])ton  held  tlie  Cruger  interest,  in 
whose  honor  Mr.  Solomon  Birdsall  conferred  the  name  of  Luptondale. 
Alexander  McCoy  was  a  tenant  or  settler  under  him,  and  Michael 
Redmond  and  John  Abrams  among  the  earliest  purchasers.  .  A  colony 
of  Friends  iVom  Westchester  county,  composed  of  Daniel,  Zephaniah 
and  Barak  Birdsall,  John  Sutton,  and  John  Thorne,  settled  on  the 
patent  about  1791.  Daniel  Birdsall  bought  the  place  which  McCoy 
had  partially  cleared,  and  found  there  a  log  house  with  a  bark  roof, 
which  he  occupied.  Barak  Birdsall  bouglit  of  Henry  W.  Kipp,  and 
subsequently  became  the  owner  of  the  Nicholas  Stevens  place.  The 
Birdsalls  are  still  largely  represented  in  the  district. 

The  settlement  of  the  Bradley  and  Jamison  patent  cannot  be  traced 
in  early  records.  It  is  said  that  Johannis  Snyder  and  John  Crowell 
were  first  purchasers  there.  St.  Andrew's  church  subsequently  held 
an  interest  in  the  patent  and  sold  farms. 

The  Wallace  patent  was  to  James  Wallace  alone.     It  was  purchas- 


*  Described  as  beginning  "  at  three  black-oak  saplings  on  the  east  side  of  the  great 
pond,  seven  chains  to  the  northward  of  the  eel  fishing  place  or  the  begmning  of  Quassa- 
ick  brook."  The  eel-fishing  place  must  have  been  a  resort  of  the  Indians;  it  could  not 
have  been  known  to  the  English  at  that  time. 


132  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURQH. 


ed  by  Joseph  Penny,  who  sold  200  acres  to  Robert  Ross,  and  settled 
upon  the  remainder  with  his  seven  sons,  John,  William,  Robison, 
Joseph,  Peter,  James  and  Allen.  Penny  was  from  Wales,  England. 
Ross  was  Scotch,  and  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  settler  on  the 
patent  and  to  have  established  the  name  of  Rossville,  although  the 
patent  itself  became  known  as   "the  Penny  patent." 

The  Bradley  patent  was  to  Sarah,  Catharine,  George,  Elizabeth, 
and  Mary  Bradley,  and  was  taken  in  their  name  by  their  father, 
Richard  Bradley,  who  was  thus  enabled  to  secure  six  tracts  in  sepa- 
rate locations  (of  which  that  in  Newburgh  was  one),  embracing  6000 
acres.  It  was  purchased  and  settled  in  1768,  by  John  Foster,  Wil- 
liam Foster,  Richard  Ward,  and  John  Griggs.  The  Fosters  being  the 
most  numerous,  the  settlement  was  called  Fostertown. 

The  Harrison  patent  was  issued  to  Francis  Harrison,  Mary  Tatham, 
Thomas  Brasire,  James  Graham,  and  John  Haskell.  It  was  for  5,600 
acres,  excepting  and  reserving  300  acres  laid  out  for  "  Gillis,  the 
German  joiner,"  and  300  acres  "for  the  children  of  or  Peter  Johnson." 
By  subsequent  transfers  James  Alexander,  John  Provost,  and  Daniel 
Gomoz*  became  interested  in  the  patent.  It  was  sold  in  several  par- 
cels at  different  periods.  The  first  purchaser  was  James  Ellsworth  in 
1716,  whose  lands  were  held  by  iiis  widow  and  after  her  death  sold 
by  his  son,  William  Ellsworth,  to  Samuel  Stratton  in  1753;  Strattcm 
sold  to  Jehiel  Clark.  The  share  of  James  Graham  passed  to  Jurie 
Quick  in  1719,  who  sold  to  Zacharias  Hofman  (September  24,  1727). 
After  the  death  of  the  latter  the  tract,  as  well  as  the  lots  held  by  him 
in  the  German  patent,  were  sold  by  his  heirs,  among  others  to  Joseph 
Bloomer  in  1754,  and  Michael  Demott  and  the  Dentons  and  Flewwel- 
lings  in  1764.  James  Alexander  and  John  Provost  sold  to  Arthur 
Smith  and  Jehiel  Clark  (May  9,  1751,)  one  half  of  the  fifth  part 
originally  held  by  Haskell.  Daniel  Gomoz  sold  to  Samuel  and  Daniel 
Ft)wler,  November  6,  1747,  the  remaining  half  of  that  part,  consist- 
ing (,)f  500  acres.  The  extreme  northei-n  portion  of  the  patent  was 
held  at  an  early  date  by  Jacobus  Van  Blarcken,  whose  interest  was 
purchased  by  Wolvert  Acker  at  sheriff's  sale  in  1772.  The  Smiths, 
Clarks,  Bloomers,  and  Fowlers,  were  English  people,  and  were  mainly 
from  Westchester  county.  Van  Blarcken  and  Acker  were  also  from 
Westchester,  but  of  Dutch  extraction.  With  the  exception  of  the 
Belknap  colony,  none  of  the  settlers  had  a  more  controlling  influ- 
ence in  the  early  history  (jf  the  town  than  those  who  occupied  the 
Harrison  patent,  which,  with  the  reservations  above  stated,  covered 
the  district  now  known  as  Middlehope. 


*  "Written  on  the  Tax-roll  of  1724,  "Gomoz,  the  Jew."    He  was  a  merchant  of  New 
York  city. 


PRECINCT  ORGANIZATIONS.  133 


The  Spratt  patent  was  in  two  parcels — 2000  acres  in  Ulster  and 
1000  in  Newburg-h — and  was  issued  to  Andries  Marschalk  and  John 
Spratt,  the  latter  taking  the  Newburg-h  tract  as  his  "one-third."  It 
was  purchased  by  Joseph  Gidne}^,  in  1760,  and  settled  by  his  four 
sons,  Joseph,  Daniel,  David,  and  Eleazer,  from  whom  it  took  the 
name  of  Gidneytown. 

The  Gulch  patent  was  to  Melchior  Gulch,  and  his  wife  and  children, 
precisely  as  were  the  lots  in  the  German  patent.  A  portion  of  it  passed 
to  John  Fowler,  and  from  him  to  Daniel  Kniffin,  in  1758;  afterwards 
to  Underbill  Merritt,  and  more  recently  to  the  late  Daniel  Merritt.  It 
is  recorded  as  having'  been  issued  to  Gellis,  Gillis  or  Jellis,  Melchior 
or  Melchor,  "the  German  carpenter,  now  in  his  possession  and  occu- 
pation." The  portion  retained  by  his  family  descended  to  Jacob 
Gillis,  as  the  name  came  to  be  written,  who  held  it  by  right  of  primo- 
geniture until  about  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution. 

The  patent  to  Peter  Johnson*  is  not  of  record,  but  depends  for  its 
existence  upon  the  reservations  in  the  Harrist)n  patent.  With  the 
Gulch  patent,  which  it  adjoined,  it  was  the  first  occupied  land  in  the 
north-east  part  of  the  town.     There  is  no  record  of  its  transfer. 

The  patent  for  300  acres  to  Harrison  and  Company  was  to  supply 
a  deficiency  in  the  first  patent. 

The  increase  in  population  resulting  from  the  settlement  of  these 
patents,  brought  with  it  a  change  in  the  organization  of  the  precinct. 
The  old  precinct  of  the  Highlands,  after  serving  the  purpose  of  its 
creation  for  fifty  years,  gave  way,  in  1762,  to  the  precincts  of  New- 
burgh  and  New  Windsor,  into  which  it  was  divided  f — the  latter  being 
constituted  substantially  as  the  town  now  is;  while  the  former  embra- 
ced the  towns  of  Marlborough  and  Plattekill,  in  Ulster  county,  as  well 
as  the  present  town  and  city  of  Newburgh.  Under  the  act  establish- 
ing this  division,  the  first  annual  meeting  for  the  election  of  precinct 
officers  was  held  at  the  house  of  Jonathan  Hasbrouck  (now  known  as 
Wasliington's  Head-quarters),  in  the  parish  of  Newburgh,  on  the  first 
Tuesday  in  April,  1763, |  when  the  following  officers  were  chosen,  viz: 
Samuel  Sands,  clerk;  Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  supervisor;  Richard  Har- 
per, Jf)hn  Windfield,  and  Samuel  Wyatt,  assessors;  Daniel  Gedney  and 
Benjamin  Woolsey,  poor-masters;  John  McCrary,  John  Wandel,  Burras 
Holmes,  Isaac  Fowler,  Umphrey  Merritt,  and  Thomas  Woolsey,  path- 
masters;  and  Nathan  Purdv  and  Isaac  Fowler,  fence-viewers  and 
appraisers  of  damages.  After  continuing  for  ten  years,  the  precinct 
was  again  divided,  and  the  Marlborough  and  Plattekill  settlements 
erected  as  the  precinct  of  New  Marlborough.     This  division  left  to 


*  Peter  Jansen  and  "  Peter  Jansen's  estate,"  on  Tax-rolls  1714-17.        t  Ante  p.  38,  39, 
I  The  records  of  the  town  of  Newburgh  begin  with  this  election. 


134  mSTORY  OF  NEWBUEGH. 


the  precinct  of  Newburgh  the  territory  covered  by  the  patents  already 
named,  and  its  date  (Dec.  11,  1772,)  is  practically  that  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  subsequent  town  of  Newburgh.  John  Flew  welling,  super- 
visor, and  Samuel  Sands,  clerk,  were  its  first  principal  officers  chosen 
at  the  election  in  April,  1773. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  the  precinct  of  Newburgh  when  the 
discussions  which  preceded  and  produced  the  Revolution,  fixed  the 
attention  and  engaged  the  sympathies  of  the  people.  When  the  news 
of  the  Boston  massacre  was  wafted  hither  from  New  England,  followed, 
as  it  was,  by  the  tidings  that  patriot  blood  had  been  shed  at  Lexing- 
ton— wlien  the  shock  came 

"That  hurled 
To  dust,  in  many  fragments  dashed  and  strown, 
The  throne,  whose  roots  were  in  another  world  " — 

a  large  majority  embraced  with  unflinching  zeal  the  cause  of  their 
country.  Yet  few  localities  in  the  province  were  more  immediately 
under  the  influence  of  officers  of  the  crown  than  was  Newburgh. 
Lieut.  Governor  Golden  had  his  residence  within  a  few  miles  of  the 
village,  and  in  the  vicinity  there  were  other  persons  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  government  whose  influence  tended  to  secure  a  degree 
of  favor  for  the  British  ministry  that  would  not  otherwise  have  been 
obtained.  After  Colden's  death,  his  son,  Cadwallader,  became  the 
leader  (if  he  was  not  so  previously)  of  the  opposition,  and  was  re- 
garded by  the  whigs  as  especially  "  mischievous."  *  Aside  from  the 
influence  exerted  by  the  Coldens,  other  causes  contributed,  more  or 
less,  to  divide  the  people  of  Newburgh  on  the  great  issue  presented 
for  their  consideration;  and  it  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  in  a  popu- 
lation like  that  which  then  occupied  the  precinct,  so  many  were  found 
ready  to  peril  life  and  fortune  in  the  seemingly  desperate  strife. 

The  drama  of  the  Revolution  opened  in  Newburgh,  as  in  so  many 
other  places,  on  the  passage  of  the  non-importation  resolutions  by 
the  continental  congress  in  1774,  which  resulted  in  the  formation,  in 
every  city,  town  and  precinct,  of  a  "Committee  of  Safety  and  Obser- 
vation." The  city  of  New  York  took  the  lead  by  organizing  a  com- 
mittee of  one  hundred,  of  which  Isaac  Low  was  chairman,  and  by 
sending  circulars  to  all  the  towns  and  precincts  in  the  province  urging 
the  formation  of  simiUir  connnittees.  About  the  same  time  a  pamphlet 
entitled  "  Free  Thoughts  on  the  Resolves  of  Congress,"  made  its 
appearance  and  was  scattered  broadcast  over  the  land.  The  people 
thus  had  the  question  fairly  before  them,  and  in  their  local  meetings 
discussed  the  points  involved.     The  result  was  soon  apparent.     The 


*  "  In  the  midst  of  our  troubles  with  these  rebels,  we  are  greatly  satisfied  to  hear  that 
their  leader,  the  mischievous  Major  Golden,  has  been  arrested."— Palme);  March,  1777. 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  135 


precincts  of  Shawang-iink,  Hanover,  Wallkill,  New  Windsor,  and  New- 
burgh,  in  January,  1775,  publicly  burned  the  pamphlet,  and  at  the 
same  time  organized  the  committees  proposed.  In  Newburgh,  a 
meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Martin  Weigand,  on  the  27th  of 
January,  1775,  when  Wolvert  Acker,  Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  Thomas 
Palmer,  John  Belknap,  Joseph  Coleman,  Moses  Higby,  Samuel  Sands, 
Stephen  Case,  Isaac  Belknap,  Benjamin  Birdsall,  John  Robinson,  and 
others,  were  appointed  a  "  Committee  of  Safety  and  Observation." 

The  first  duty  devolving  upon  this  committee  was  to  attend  a  con- 
vention at  New  Paltz  on  the  7th  of  April,  for  the  purpose  of  selecting 
delegates  to  a  provincial  convention  to  be  held  at  New  York  on  the 
20th  of  the  same  month.  Newburgh  was  represented  in  the  New 
Paltz  meeting  by  Col.  Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  Thomas  Palmer,  Wolvert 
Acker,  and  John  Belknap,  who  voted  to  send  Charles  DeWitt,  George 
Clinton,  and  Levi  Pauling  to  the  provincial  convention,  with  full  power 
"  to  declare  the  sense  of  this  county  relative  to  the  grievances  under 
which  His  Majesty's  American  subjects  labor." 

On  the  29th  of  April  following,  the  committee  of  New  York  drew 
up  and  signed  a  pledge  to  observe  and  maintain  the  orders  and  reso- 
lutions of  both  the  continental  and  provincial  congress,  and  sent  it 
for  signatures  to  all  the  preciticts  and  counties  in  the  province.* 
Immediately  on  receiving  the  proceedings  of  the  New  York  committee, 
the  Newburgh  committee  placed  a  copy  of  the  pledge  at  the  hotel  of 
Martin  Weigand  for  sigiiatures.  The  great  mass  of  the  people  came 
forward  voluntarily  and  subscribed  their  names;  but  a  few  timid  ones, 
anticipating  that  the  result  of  the  controversy  would  be  disastrous, 
or  unwilling  to  risk  the  displeasure  of  the  crown,  shrank  from  the 
test,  and  the  committee  found  it  necessary  to  adopt  energetic  measures 
to  induce  them  to  unite  in  the  movement.  For  this  purpose  a  meeting- 
was  held  at  the  house  of  Martin  Weigand  (May  15),  and  Wolvert 
Acker  appointed  chairman,  and  Cornelius  Hasbrouck  clerk.  Resolu- 
tions were  passed  instructing  the  committee  to  visit  those  who  had 
"  neglected  or  refused  to  sign  the  association,  and  in  the  most  friendly 
manner  invite  them  to  sign  the  same;  f  tliat  those  refusing  to  sign  "  on. 
or  before  the  29th  uf  this  instant"  should  be  "deemed  enemies  of 
their  country ;"  that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  committee,  "  no  person  or 
persons  whatsoever  "  should  "  have  any  kind  of  connection  or  dealings 
with "  those  who  withheld  their  names,  and  that  whosoever  should 
have  "  any  such  connection  ought  to  be  treated  in  like  manner,  and 


*  American  Archives,  Vol.  II,  471,  4th  series.    Ante  p.  85. 

t  Coercive  measures  to  hiduce  persons  to  sign  the  association  were  forbidden  ;  "  the  pro- 
priety of  the  measure,  and  the  necessity  of  maintaining  a  perfect  union  in  every  part  of 
the  colony,"  being  regarded  as  sutficient  to  induce  signatures.  Freedom  of  opinion  was 
distinctly  recognized. 


136 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURQH. 


bo  considered  as  an  enemy  of  his  conntvy,  notwithstanding  he  may 
liave  sio-ned  tlie  association."*  In  other  words,  social  ostracism  was 
pronounced  against  a  few  well-known  individnals,  as  the  sequel  shows, 
wiiu  were  occupying  the  common  ground  of  loyalty  to  the  king — 
which  (>vcn  the  niemhers  of  the  association  professed — but  wlu)  were 
also  already  quite  active  in  inviting  liostility  to  tlie  movement  for  a 
"redress  of  grievances,"  and  were  especially  instigating  the  negro 
slaves  of  the  precinct  to  take  part  against  their  masters,  f 

On  the  19th  of  May,  the  provincial  congress  directed  the  committees 
holding  tli(>  pledge  to  return  tiie  same  before  the  15th  of  July  "with 
the  names  of  the  signers  and  tliose  who  refused  to  sign;"  and  in 
accordance  witli  this  requirement,  Wolvert  Acker,  the  chairman  of 
the  Newburii'li  committee,  made,  on  the  14tli  of  Julv,  the  return  called 
for  on  behalf  t)f  the  precinct,  embracing  the  names  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy-four  persons  wiu»  had  signed  the  associati(m,  and  tifty-four 
wlio  had  refused  to  do  so.  as  follows: 


Col.  Jona.  Haabrouek, 
TlKiiiiiis  Palmer, 
Isaao  Boikiiap, 
William  Darlmtr, 
Wolvert  Aeker, 
Joliii  r.elkiiai), 
John  Robinson, 
Saial.  (^lark, 
Benj.  Birdsall, 
Benjamin  Smith, 
James  Wauirh, 
Abel  Belknap, 
Moses  Hiijby, 
Henry  C'rojisey, 
Wm.  Hanlinir', 
Joseph  Belknap, 
John  Strattoii, 
Lewis  Holt, 
Saml.  Hallock, 
Samnel  Spra,y;ne, 
Burrousrhs  Holmes, 
Samuel  Boml, 
Thomas  Campbell, 
Janios  Cosmau, 
Lewis  Clark. 
Jonathan  Sweot, 
Ken  ben  Tooker, 
David  Belknap, 
Daniel  Birilsall, 
Robert  Lockwood, 
Benj.  Knap. 


SIGNERS  OF  THE  PLEDGE. 

Nieholas  Stephens, 
Johannis  Snider, 
BiMijamin  Robinson, 
Andrew  Spraf;ue, 
Thomas  Beaty, 
Solo.  Bnekinirham, 
Wm.  Bowdisii, 
Jona.  Belknap. 
Jaeob  Tremper, 
Abraham  Smith, 
Cornelius  Wood, 
John  Lawrenee, 
George  Hack. 
John  Shaw, 
Corns.  Hasbro\ick, 
Isaae  Demott. 
David  Smith, 
John  Stratton, 
Absalom  Case, 
Joseph  Dunn, 
Daniel  More  wise, 
Jonathan  Owen, 
Jehicl  Clark, 
Reuben  Holms, 
Nath'l  Coleman. 
George  Leonard, 
Elnathan  Foster, 
Neal  MeLean, 
Wm.  Palmer, 
Martin  Weigand, 
Wm.  Foster, 


John  Tremper, 
Charles  Willett, 
Jeremiah  Dunn, 
"  Wm.  Lawrenee, 
Robert  Waugh. 
Wiirgins  Conklin, 
Roiiert  Beatty.  Jr., 
Abr'm  Johnston, 
Silas  Sperry, 
James  Clark, 
David  Mills, 
Caleb  Cofliu, 
James  Harris, 
Theo.  Hagaman, 
Wm.  Dunn, 
Neliemiah  Cari)enter, 
Leonard  Smith, 
Wm.  Day, 
Jolm  Wandel. 
Abel  Thrall. 
Phineas  Corwin, 
Moses  Hunt, 
Samuel  Sands, 
Jaeob  Couekliu, 
Joseph  Price, 
John  Saunders, 
George  Westlako, 
Burger  Weigaud, 
Tunis  Keiter, 
Hugh  Quigly, 
Daniel  Darbv. 


*  Archives  U06,  Vol.  11,  4th  series. 

t  Very  stringent  measures  were  adopted  to  hold  the  negroes  from  assisting  the  king. 
At  the  meeting  referred  to  (May  15),  it  was  resolved,  "that  any  person  owning  negroes 
in  this  precinct  shall  not.  on  aiiy  account  whatever,  sutler  them  to  be  absent  from  his 
dwelling-house  or  farm  after  sundown,  or  send  them  out  in  the  daytime  oft"  their  farm 
without  a  pass;  and  in  ease  any  negroes  be  found  abroad,  contrary  to  the  above  resolve, 
they  shall  l>e  apprehended  and  caused  to  receive  thirty-tive  lashes,  or  any  number  less, 
as  the  said  committee  shall  di'cm  proi)er."  At  a  later  i)eriod,  when  the  militia  was  eaUed 
away,  a  guard  was  maintained  to  prevent  the  negroes  from  insurrectionarv  violence. 
Slavery,  always  a  source  of  weakness  to  the  republic,  was  especially  so  during  the  struggle 
for  independence  ;  although  to  the  honor  of  the  slaves  be  it  said  tliat  the  majority  of  them 
were  faithfid  to  their  masters. 


HEVOL  UTIONA R  Y   EVENTS. 


187 


Saml.  Westlake, 
Josiali  Ward, 
Silas  Gardner, 
Jacob  Gillis, 
Wm.  Kenoaden, 
Jamos  Denton, 
John  FoHter, 
Hope  Mills, 
John  Coanian, 
Win.  Wear, 
Tiionias  Fish, 
Wni.  liawrence,  Jr. 
John  Kernoghan, 
ll(jbert  Hanmer, 
Kobert  Boss, 
John  drowel, 
Oiiadiah  Weeks, 
Francis  Hanmer, 
William  Bloomer, 
Abraham  Garrison, 
James  Marston, 
Samuel  Gardiner, 
AnniiiL,'  Smith, 
Uicdiard  Albertson, 
IJenj.  Lawrence, 
llichard  Buckingham, 
Jacob  Morewise, 


Nehemiah  Fowler, 
Stephen  Wiggins, 
Isaiah  Purely, 
•^Gilbert  I'nrdy, 
Nathan  Purdy, 
*John  Wiggins, 
*Jam(^s  Leonard, 
*M()rris  Flewwelliug, 
*Anthony  lieatlebron, 
*Danifl  Hains, 
*Daniel  Denton, 
Daniel  Denton,  Jr., 
*George  Merritt, 
Adam  Patrick, 
*Gabriel  Travis, 
John  Wiggins,  Jr.,- 
Joseph  Gedney,  Jr., 
George  Devoll, 


Wm.  Wilson, 
Wm.  Stillwell,  Jr. 
Peter  Donally, 
Charles  Tooker, 
Leonard  Smith,  Jr. 
Henry  Smith, 
Jam(!s  Wooden, 
Thomas  Smith, 
Caleb  Case, 
David  Green, 
John  Stillwell, 
Lufi'  Smith, 
John  Gates, 
Benj.  Darby, 
Israel  Smith, 
Thads.  Smith, 
Jacob  Myers, 
Saml.  Concklin, 
Isaac  Brown, 
Peter  Tilton, 
John  Douaghy, 
Ste.  Stephenson, 
John  Griggs, 
Saml.  Smith, 
Jeremiah  Ward, 
Wm.  Ward, 
Wm.  Rnssel, 

PERSONS   HEFUSINQ  TO   SIGN. 

Thomas  Fowler, 
Stephen  Wood, 
*Abel  Flewwelling, 
Jonathan  Pine, 
*Sanm(d  Fowler, 
Josei)h  Cope, 
Kazael  Smith, 
Jona.  Brunbridge, 
Jose])h  Headloy, 
Benj.  Lewis, 
Peter  Aldrige, 
*John  Flewwelling, 
Jacob  Fry, 
James  Perry, 
Jas.  Patterson, 
David  Gedney, 
George  Elms, 
Nathan  Purdy,  Jr., 


Isaac  Brown,  Jr., 

Hezekiah  Wyatt, 
Wm.  Whitehead, 
Daniel  Goldsmith, 
Gabriel  Travis, 
Nathaniel  Weed, 
John  Weed, 
Daniel  Duboise, 
Arthur  Smith, 
Isaac  Fowler, 
Stephen  Outman, 
Saml.  Stratton, 
Joseph  Carpenter, 
Daniel  Thurstin, 
John  Fowler, 
Daniel  Clark, 
Isaac  Donaldson, 
Wm.  Concklin, 
('harles  Tooker, 
John  Smith, 
Isaac  Fowler,  Jr., 
William  Wright, 
Wm.  White, 
Daniel  Kniffen, 
Rob.  Morrison, 
John  Dolson, 
Leonard  Smith, 


Daniel  Purdy, 
Daniel  Purdy,  Jr., 
John  Hendrick, 
*Isaac  Barton, 
William  Roach, 
David  Ilorton, 
Theophilus  Mozer, 
*Jonas  Totten, 
Daniel  Dorland, 
Daniel  Rounds, 
John  Morrel, 
Moses  Knap, 
David  Wyatt, 
Sanmel  Denton, 
Thomas  Orr,  Jr., 
*Daniel  Gedney, 
Jolm  Elms, 
Joseph  Penny. 


On  the  day  on  wliicli  this  return  was  forwarded,  the  pei'sojis  whose 
names  are  marked  in  the  preceding-  list  with  an  asterisk,  came  before 
the  conunittee  and  made  affidavit  of  their  intention  to  abide  by  the 
measures  of  the  continental  congress,  being-  convinced  that  they  had 
"no  other  alternative  but  to  repel  force  by  force,  or  submit  to  be 
slaves;"  tiiat  they  would  "discourage  the  spirit  of  opposition"  which 
had  prevailed,  and  bear  and  pay  tlieir  "  (juota  of  all  expenses"  that 
might  be  incurred  in  the  strugg'le;  and  that  this  their  declaration 
was  of  their  "  owu  free  will  and  voluntary  consent."  This  in(;reased 
the  number  of  signers  to  one  hundred  and  ninety-five,  and  reduced 
the  number  who  sustained  the  king  and  iiis  ministry  to  thirty-nine. 

With  the  return  of  the  signatures,  the  organization  of  the  "Com- 
mittee! of  Safety  and  Observation"  of  the  precinct  of  Newburgh  was 
perfected,  and  that  body  installed  as  its  revolutionary  government, 
'i'he  history  of  the  revolutionary  committees  and  tribunals  of  France 


138  mSTOR  Y  OF  NEWB  UR OH. 

has  been  written;  the  preceding  committees  and  tribunals  of  the 
American  Revolution  are  yet  to  be  assigned  the  place  which  is  due 
to  them  in  the  annals  of  the  nation.  Tlie  government  of  New  York 
differed  from  that  of  the  New  England  colonies.  The  people  of  the 
latter,  under  their  several  charters,  elected  their  own  governors  and 
legislatures;  while  those  of  tlie  former  had  no  such  power,  the  gov- 
ernor being  appointed  by  the  king,  and  the  governor's  council  com- 
posed of  members  of  his  selection.*  In  New  England,  therefore,  the 
revolution  could  be  carried  forward  without  disturbing  the  existing 
order  of  things,  while  in  New  York  the  government  had  to  be  set 
aside,  and,  as  in  the  case  of  the  nation,  a  new  one  created.  Pending 
this  change,  common  law  was  maintained  as  far  as  practicable,  while 
to  these  committees  were  assigned  the  powers  inferentially  declared 
in  tlie  pledge  of  association:  "The  necessity  of  preventing  anarchy 
and  confusion,  which  attend  the  dissolution  of  the  powers  of  govern- 
ment," and  "  the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order,  and  the  safety 
of  individuals  and  property."  At  first  responsible  only  to  the  general 
committee  of  the  city  of  New  York,  the  local  committees  were  subse- 
quently recognized  by  the  provincial  convention  and  its  subordinate 
committee  of  safety,  and  invested  with  the  control  of  the  minute  men, 
and  all  the  duties  of  local  revolutionary  administration."}"  If  not 
always  wise  in  tlieir  action,  they  were  vigorous  in  the  enforcement  of 
order  and  in  promoting  the  means  employed  to  secure  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  nation. I 

Scarce  had  the  organizatit)n  of  the  committee  been  perfected  when 
active  duties  devolved  upon  it.  A  portion  of  those  who  had  refused 
to  sign  the  pledge,  as  well  as  a  few  who  had  signed  the  subsequent 
affidavit,  were  guilty  of  acts  which,  in  its  opinion,  deserved  punish- 
ment, and  wiiich  it  was  determined  should  be  administered.  The  first 
instance  of  this  character  is  reported  to  the  provincial  convention 
of  New  York  in  a  joint  letter  from  the  connnittees  of  Newburgh  and 
New  Winds(U-,  and  read  at  a  session  of  the  committee  of  safety  on  the 
18th  of  July.  The  report  is  signed  by  Wolvert  Acker  and  Samuel 
Brewster,   and  states  that  John  Mori'el,   Adam   Patrick,  and  Isaiah 


*  Ante  p.  30. 

t  The  power  to  appoint  assessors  and  collectors  was  given  to  the  local  committees, 
while  the  county  committees  were  to  be  "  considered  as  supervisors  accordinj^  to  the 
police  of  the  city,  county,  town  or  precinct ''  in  which  they  had  been  chosen,  and,  with 
the  assessors  and  collectors,  were  directed  to  assess,  raise  and  collect  the  quotas  to  be 
raised  tor  the  support  of  the  revolutionary  government,  and  were  empowered  to  enforce 
collection  "by  distress  upon  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the  defaulters,  as  heretofore  prac- 
tised."—Pro.  Prov.  Conv.  15,  18,  134,  etc. 

i  The  powers  of  these  committees  were  very  greatly  enlarged  under  the  resolution  of 
the  continental  congress  of  1777,  directing  the  state  to  "  forthwith  apprehend  and  secure 
all  persons  who  have  in  their  general  conduct  and  conversation,  evinced  a  disposition  in- 
imical to  the  cause  of  America  "—a  measure  deemed  necessary,  and  which  explains  many 
of  the  subsequent  arrests. 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  139 


Purdy,  were  not  only  "  possessed  of  principles  very  inimical  to  the 
grand  cause  in  whicli  we  are  embarked,  but  whose  conduct,  ever 
since  the  commencement  of  these  unhappy  times,  has  been  such  as  to 
disturb  the  public  tranquility."  *  The  persons  named  were  arrested 
and  taken  to  New  York  under  guard,  where  they  were  examined  by 
the  committee  of  safety.  They  admitted  many  of  the  charges  against 
them,  and  were  ordered  to  be  confined  in  the  l)arracks;  but  were  sub- 
sequently released  "  upon  their  contrition  and  promise  of  amendment," 
and  the  Nevvburgh  committee  instructed  to  treat  them  kindly  unless 
they  should  commit  further  unlawful  acts. 

Under  date  of  October  27,  1*1*15,  it  appears  that  Stephen  Wiggins 
and  David  Purdy,  being  deemed  guilty  of  unlawful  acts,  were  arrested 
by  order  of  the  committee  and  sent  to  New  Y()rk;f  but  the  final  dis- 
position of  tlieir  case  does  not  appear.  In  January,  17*16,  Samuel 
Devine|  was  arrested  and  confined.  He  was  subsequently  released, 
but  for  some  offense  was  again  arrested  in  1777,  tried  by  court  martial 
and  sentenced  to  be  hung.  He  was  pardoned  "  under  the  gallows" 
by  Governor  Clinton.  Samuel  Fowler  and  Daniel  Denton,  who  were 
among  the  signers  of  the  affidavit,  were  also  arrested  and  confined. § 
The  Flewwellings  were  disaffected;  and  one  of  them  joined  Claudius 
Smith's  band  of  cow-boys  and  was  hung  at  Goshen  in  1779.  Rene- 
gades were  also  found  among  those  who  had  signed  the  pledge  of 
association,  of  whom  Silas  Gardner,  ||  Benjamin  Smith,  Elnathan  Fos- 


*  "We  herewith  send  you  three  persons,  who  not  only  possess  principles  very  iuiniical 
to  the  grand  cause  in  which  we  are  embarked,  but  whose  conduct,  ever  since  the  rirst  of 
these  unhappy  times,  has  been  such  as  to  disturb  tlie  public  tranquiUty  and  destroy  that 
unanimity  so  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  our  hberties.  Their  names  are  Jolin  Mor- 
rel,  Adam  Patrick  and  Isaiah  Purdy.  Herewith,  gentlemen,  you  will  also  receive  several 
depositions  taken  before  John  NicoU,  Esq.,  relative  to  the  matter,  which  is  all  we  have 
time  to  take  at  present;  these  we  submit  to  the  judgment  of  the  honorable  Congress, 
whether  cither  or  all  of  the  persons  accused  be  worthy  of  confinement  or  not.^'^ Archives. 

t  "  This  is  to  certify,  that  we,  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  Observation  for  the  Precinct 
of  Newburgh,  for  the  apprehension  of  two  persons,  viz:  Stephen  Wiggins  and  David 
Purdy,  did  request  and  command  Capt.  Samuel  Logan,  of  the  miiuite  company  at  New 
Windsor,  to  assist  with  eleven  of  his  men  in  apprehending  the  said  persons,  he  having 
attended  and  assisted  one  day  and  a  half,  with  himself  at  the  head  of  the  following  per- 
sons, viz:  John  Robinson,  ensign:  David  Mandevill  and  John  Schofield,  sergeants;  one 
corporal;  one  clerk,  and  six  privates.  Capt.  Logan's  account,  signed  by  Mr.  Acker,  our 
chairman,  for  the  expenses  of  himself  and  men,  for  the  time  above  certified,  is  just;  and 
for  his  own  and  men's  wages,  we  refer  to  be  calculated  by  you." — Archives. 

t  Samuel  Devine  was  arrested  on  testimony  that  he  had  "repeatedly  drank  damnation 
to  the  congress  and  all  the  whigs;  and  furthermore  had  called  the  whigs  a  pack  of  rebels." 

§  Aug.  18, 1788 — Samuel  Fowler,  arrested  as  a  person  of  "  equivocal  and  suspected  char- 
acter " — refused  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  was  confined  by  the  committee.  Sept.  4,  1778 
— Daniel  Denton  arrested  as  a  person  of  "equivocal  and  suspected  character" — refused 
the  oath  and  was  confined. — Clinton  jtapers. 

II  Silas  Gardner  was  arrested  in  April,  1777,  charged  with  "levying  war  against  the 
United  States  of  America,  holding  correspondence  with  and  assisting  the  enemies  of  the 
said  states."  He  appears  to  have  been  guilty  of  correspondence  with  the  enemy  and  to 
have  associated  with  others  in  what  has  been  modernly  termed  an  "  underground  rail- 
road "  for  passing  through  the  country  those  who  wislied  to  join  the  British  either  in 
Canada  or  New  York.  His  last  act  in  this  line  was  the  safe  conduct  of  the  wife  of  Sir 
John  Johnston  to  New  York,  for  which  service  Sir  John  sent  him  a  ring.  He  was  trii^d  by 
court  martial  at  Fort  Montgomery,  and  sentenced  to  be  hung;  but  was  pardoned  under 
the  gallows  and  confined,  but  released  on  parole  in  1778. — Proc.  Prov.  Vunv. 


140  HISTORY  OF   NEWBimOH. 

ter,  David  Wyatt,  and  others  were  arrested  and  confined  for  indefi- 
nite periods,  *  and  subsequently  released  on  parole. 

Without  pursuing-  the  inquiry,  the  fact  will  be  recognized  that 
there  were  in  the  precinct  a  number  of  persons  who  were  known  as 
tories,  embracing  those  who  had  consistently  maintained  their  alle- 
giance to  the  king  and  those  who,  although  willing  to  unite  to  secure 
reform  on  "constitutional  principles,"  were  opposed  to  the  separation 
of  the  colonies  from  the  English  government — the  latter  class  spring- 
ing up  after  tlie  adoption  of  the  declarati(m  of  independence,  a  meas- 
ure which  brought  indeed  a  sifting  time,  and  threw  into  the  ranks  of 
the  king's  friends  some  of  the  early  leaders  of  the  original  move- 
ment.f  Had  they  been  left  to  themselves  perhaps  the  great  majority 
of  them  would  have  remained  neutral,  but  they  were  constantly  under 
the  spur  of  association  with  the  officers  of  the  discarded  government 
who  required  proof  of  the  sincerity  of  their  fidelity  to  the  crown. 
Tliat  they  were  troublesome  and  vicious  under  this  influence  no  one 
will  doubt;  that  the  indignation  of  tlieir  neighbors  which  was  kindled 
against  them  was  not  justified,  cannot  be  conceded.  That  the  whigs 
committed  excesses,  or  were  too  hasty  and  severe  in  tlieir  punish- 
ments, may  have  been  true  in  some  cases  ;|  yet  the  whigs  themselves 
discriminated  between  their  opponents,  driving  one  class  from  the 
C(mntry,  but  suffering  the  other  to  enjoy  their  possessions,  and  their 
descendants  to  stand  as  the  peers  of  their  own  children  in  the  national 
temple  which  they  erected.  It  is  not  for  the  present  or  for  future  gen- 
erations to  appeal  from  the  justice  of  that  discrimination. 

The  reorganization  of  the  militia  of  the  precinct  received  the  early 
attention  of  the  committee,  and  was  conducted  in  conjunction  with 
the  general  committee  of  the  county  of  Ulster,  for  the  southern  dis- 
trict of  which  a  new  regiment  was  constituted  (Sept.  2,  ITTS),  com- 
posed of  the  following  field  officers:  Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  colonel; 
Johannes  Hardenbergh,  Jr.,  lieutenant  colonel;  Johannes  Jansen,  Jr., 


*  The  parties  referred  to  were  apprehended  and  arrested,  it  is  said,  while  on  their  way 
to  join  the  enemy,  and  were:  James  Flewwelling,  Elnathan  Foster,  John  Flewwelling, 
David  Wyatt,  Solomon  Combs,  Benjamin  Smith,  Stephen  Wood,  John  Moffatt,  Benjamin 
Darby,  Timothy  Wood,  Robert  Doiitou,  James  Cosman,  and  Amos  Ireland.  They  were 
sentenced  to  confinement  in  the  jail  at  Kingston. — Proc.  Prov.  Conv.,  872. 

t  The  sentiment  expressed  by  John  Alsop,  in  resigning  his  seat  in  the  continental  con- 
gress, was  shared  by  a  respectable  but  not  numerous  class  of  the  community,  viz:  "As 
long  as  a  door  was  left  open  for  a  reconciliation  with  Great  Britain,  upon  honorable  terms, 
I  was  willing  and  ready  to  render  m.y  country  all  th(i  service  in  my  power;  but  as  you 
have,  by  that  declaration,  closed  the  door  of  reconciliation,  I  must  beg  leave  to  resign." 

i  The  late  Mr.  James  Donnelly  related  the  case  of  George  Harding,  one  of  the  signers 
of  the  affidavit,  who  visited  New  York,  soon  after  the  English  obtained  possession  of  the 
city,  and  was  detained  there  three  or  four  weeks.  On  a  report  that  he  had  joined  the 
enemy,  the  committee  seized  his  goods  and  turned  his  family  into  the  street.  On  his 
return  and  discovery  of  the  wreck  made  in  his  possessions,  he  resolved  to  follow  the  per- 
petrators of  the  act  with  his  vengeance;  and  joining  the  loyahsts,  he  acted  as  a  spy  during 
the  whole  war,  causing  the  whigs  no  little  trouble.  His  course,  however,  is  far  from 
being  justified  by  the  circumstances  related. 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  141 


and  Lewis  DuBois,  majors;  Abraham  Sclioonniaker,  adjutant;  and 
Isaac  Belknap,*  quartermaster.  Two  companies  were  organized  for 
this  regiment  in  Newburg-h,  tlie  first  commanded  by  Saml.  CLark,  and 
the  second  by  Arthur  Smith,  f  In  December  following  a  regiment 
of  minute  men  was  constituted,  of  which  Thomas  Palmer,  of  New- 
burgh,  was  colonel  ^Thomas  Johnson,  lieutenant  colonel;  Arthur 
Parks,  of  Hanover,  and  Samuel  Logan,  of  New  Windsor,  majors; 
Severyn  T.  Bruyn,  adjutant,  and  Isaac  Belknap,  quartermaster.  On 
the  23d  of  July,  1*1*16,  the  convention  directed  the  general  committee 
of  the  county  to  organize  three  ct)mpanies  (in  all  201  menj  of 
rangers  to  be  employed  "as  scouting  parties  to  I'aiigc  the  woods" 
and  prevent  attacks  by  the  Indians,  and  in  such  otlier  service  as 
might  be  required.  Of  one  of  these  companies  Isaac  Belknap  was 
appointed  captain ;|  —  Schoonmaker,  first  lieutenant;  Petrus  Roosa, 
second  lieutenant;  and  David  Clark,  corporal.  In  addition  to  these 
regiments  and  companies,  the  committee  was  constantly  engaged  in 
promoting  enlistments  in  the  state  and  continental  regiments,  and  in 
the  discharge  of  their  duties  found  little  leisure  tinic 

The  history  of  the  services  of  the  mih'tia  of  tlie  precinct  cannot 
now  be  fully  written;  but  the  records  preserved,  and  whicli  have 
been    abeady  quoted,   show    that   they  were  repeatedly  calh'd    out  § 


*  Through  a  clerical  error,  Belknap  was  not  commissioned.  The  conmiis.sions  of  the 
other  officers  bear  date  October  25,  1775.  The  regiment  was  included  in  the  fourth  brig- 
ade with  other  regiments  of  Ulster  and  Orange  county,  under  command  of  Brigadier- 
general  George  Clinton. 

t"  Honorable  Gentlemen: — Agreeable  to  your  direction  of  tin;  9th  inst.,  the  Militia 
Company  of  the  South-east  district  of  Newburgh  assembled  on  the  17th  inst.,  at  the 
house  of  Col.  Jonathan  Hasbronck,  and  chose  by  a  plurality  of  voices  of  the  soldiers  of 
said  District,  the  following  gentlemen  for  their  Militia  Officers:  Samuel  Clark,  Captain; 
Benjamin  Smith,  1st  Lieutenant;  James  Denton,  Senr.,  2d  Lieutenant;  Martin  Weigand, 
Ensign.  We  are,  &c.  SAMUEL  SANDS,   }        Two  of 

August  22, 1775.  MOSES  HIGBY,       (    Committee. 

"Honorable  Gentlemen: — Agreeable  to  your  directions  of  the  0th  inst.,  the  Militia 
Company  of  the  North  District  of  Newburgh  Precinct,  assembled  on  the  2()th  inst.,  at 
the  house  of  Lemuel  Concklin,  and  choose,  by  a  majority  of  voices  of  the  soldiers  be- 
longing to  said  District,  the  following  persons  for  their  Militia  Officers,  viz:  Arthur  Smith, 
Captain;  Isaac  Fowler,  Jr.,  1st  Lieutenant;  John  Foster,  2d  Lieutenant;  Daniel  Clark, 
Ensign.  We  are,  &c.  MOSES  HIGBY,  /  Two  of 

August  26,  1775.  JOSEPH  COLEMAN,    f      Committee. 

X  The  second  company  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Jacob  K.  DeWitt,  the 
third  under  Capt.  Elias  Hasbronck.     They  were  discharged,  March,  1777.— Ante  p.  87. 

§  Ante  p.  88,  89,  etc.  How  frequently  the  mihtia  of  Newburgh  was  called  out  is  shown 
by  the  following  return  made  of  the  services  of  Col.  Hasbrouck's  regiment : 

Dec.  12,  1776— Alarm  and  service  at  Ramapo,          -        -  300  men  27  days. 

Jan.    7,1777        "            "            <'            "                 .        .  joo  "     14  " 

"    28,     "          "            "            "            u                 .        .  200  "    40  " 

"    Fort  Montgomery,  -  150  "     12  " 

Mch.    7,    "          "            "            .<            »                 .        .  jgQ  u     90  u 

"    Peekskill,         -        -  250  "    40  " 

July,           ''          "            "            "    Fort  Montgomery,  -  460  "      8  " 

August,      "          "            "            "            "                -        -  500  "      8  " 

October,    "          "            "            "    Fort  Constitution,  -  200  '-     10  " 

"    Burning  of  Esopus,  460  "    30  " 

Novr.          "          "            "            "    New  Windsor,          -  120  "    45  " 

April,      1778        "            "            "    West  Point,      -        -  420  "      8  " 
— Clinton  Papers. 


142  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUEGH. 

during-  th(>  war,  and  rendered  important  service.  Even  the  aged 
were  not  exempt  from  duty.  The  provincial  convention,  in  17t8, 
invited  those  "who,  in  ordinary  circumstances,  would  be  exempts,"  to 
form  companies  to  repel  invasions  and  suppress  insurrections.*  This 
call  was  responded  to  by  Martin  Weigand,  Humphrey  Merritt,  Saml. 
Stratton,  William  Bloomer,  Joseph  Albertson,  William  Carscaden, 
Isaac  Fowler,  Reuben  Holmes,  William  Ward,  Jr.,  James  Denton, 
Jas.  Waugh,  and  others,  and  a  company — of  which  Samuel  Edmonds 
was  captain;  Nathaniel  Wyatt,  first  lieutenant;  John  Stratton,  second 
lieutenant,  and  Michael  Lewis,  ensign — organized  and  held  in  re'adi- 
ness  for  service. 'j' 

But  it  was  not  merely  by  their  services  as  militia  that  the  people 
of  Newburgh  contributed  to  the  war.  A  depot  for  stores,  under  the 
charge  of  Andrew  Taylor,  deputy  cjuartermaster-general,  was  estab- 
lished here  in  1*177,  and  was  maintained  until  the  peace.  Of  course 
it  devolved  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  district,  in  the  absence  of 
regular  troops,  to  collect  the  various  stores  needed  by  the  army,  and 
to  convey  them  to  distant  points.  When  the  tidings  of  the  terrible 
sufferings  at  Valley  Forge  were  received,  they  came  forward  with 
every  mode  of  conveyance  in  their  possession,  eager  to  transport  pro- 
visions, and  the  extent  of  their  services  may  be  inferred  from  a  letter 
of  Col.  Taylor  to  Gov.  Clinton,  in  which  he  states  that  "every  sleigh 
and  horse  in  the  neighborhood  is  completely  used  up  in  this  duty." 

Nor  was  this  all.  The  inhabitants  of  Newbiu'gh  were  subjected  to 
great  inconveniences  and  privations  from  the  fact  that  the  militia  of 
other  sections  were  located  here,  the  place  being-  made  a  point  of 
rendezvous  by  general  orders, |  and  the  billeting  of  soldiei's  on  the 
people  was  of  frequent  occurrence.  To  supply  them  with  food  in- 
volved a  heavy  tax  on  the  inhabitants,  and  their  own  families  were 
often  reduced  to  want  by  complying  with  the  demands  thus  made 
upon  their  stores. 

On  the  reduction  of  Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton,  in  1777,  the 
people  living  near  the  river  removed  their  families  and  goods  into 
the  interior,  in  accordance  with  the  suggestions  of  the  committee  of 
safety,  expecting  that  the  expedition  under  Vaughan  and  Wallace 
would  lay  waste  the  village;  but  in  this  they  were  fortunately  disap- 
pointed.    The  expedition  passed  by,  bestowing  no  other  attention  on 


*  During  the  entire  war  the  exempts  were  assessed  to  supply  men  in  their  places  in  the 
ranks  of  the  mihtia. 

t  The  persons  named  in  the  return  had  previously  served  in  some  one  of  the  companies 
composing  Col.  Hasbrouck's  regiment.— C'ii/iton  Papers. 

:t:  "  Newburgh,  Dec.  18,  1775.— Pursuant  to  the  orders  of  Congress  to  the  Regiment 
under  my  command,  to  be  in  readiness  upon  any  proper  alarm,  I  have  appointed  the 
place  of  general  rendezvous  to  be  at  the  house  of  Martin  Weigand,  in  Newburgh  Precinct. 
—Archives  IV.,  307,  Mh  Series.  J.  HASBROUCK,  Col." 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  143 


the  settlement  than  the  discharge  of  a  few  cannon.  What  was  then 
the  village,  was  shielded  from  the  passing  shot  by  its  p()siti(m  on 
the  hill  beyond  the  range  of  ship  guns,  as  well  as  by  a  dense 
growth  of  trees  in  many  places  along  the  river  bank,  and  hence 
escaped  injury  from  that  source.  When  the  fleet  returned,  a  continual 
cannonade  was  kept  up  from  its  transports,  V)y  which  one  man  was 
killed  on  the  ferry  boat;*  but  the  presence  of  the  militia  deterred  the 
predatory  boat  expeditions  by  which  its  presence  was  marked  at 
Kingston.  After  passing  the  chevaux-de-frise,  one  of  the  frigates 
was  anchored  and  remained  for  some  time  in  taking  soniidings. — 
The  militia  meanwhile  was  posted  at  Newbnrgh,  New  Windsor,  and 
other  points  in  the  vicinity,  and  kept  wakeful  watch  of  the  enemy's 
movements. f  , 

But  the  precinct  had  not  passed  the  ordeal  unscourged,  although  it 
escaped  direct  devastation  by  the  enemy.  In  the  defense  of  the 
Highland  forts  mnny  of  its  men  had  becii  killed,  and  others  taken 
prisoners.  Tlicy  had  been  summoned  I'rom  their  homes  but  a  single 
day  previous  to  that  (»f  the  fatal  battle;  had  left  their  families,  as 
they  had  many  times  l)efore,  expecting  an  early  return,  but  to  their 
homes  returned  not.  How  great  the  anxiety,  as  the  progress  of  the 
conflict  was  watciied  from  the  hill-tops — how  great  the  mourning,  as 
the  flames  which  had  been  lighted  on  the  vessels  of  war  proclaimed 
the  result — we  may  not  know;  we  only  read  the  expressive  record 
that  the  poor  taxes  of  the  precinct  rose  from  i£50  to  £800,  and  that 
special  donations  were  collected  for  "such  poor  whose  husbands  or 
parents  were  killed  or  taken  prisoners  at  P'ort  Montgomery."  | 

From  this  brief  survey  of  local  revolutionary  services  and  suffer- 
ing, let  us  turn  to  the  events  of  more  general  interest  that  cluster 
around  the  precincts  of  Newbnrgh  and  New  Windsor.  When  in  the 
spring  of  1*179,  Washington  was  thrown  on  the  defensive,  he  concen- 
trated the  continental  army  in  the  Highlands  and  in  Smith's  clove, 
and  established  his  head-quarters  in  the  William  Ellison  house  on 
the  hill  inmiediately  south  of  the  village  of  New  Windsor. §     Here 


*  ( 


On  the  18th  of  October,  1777,  Gen.  James  Clinton,  writing  from  his  head-quarters  at 
the  house  of  Abel  Belknap,  says:  "Five  of  the  British  ships  returned  this  day  down  the 
river  and  fired  many  shots,  but  only  killed  one  man  on  the  ferry  boat." 

t  In  a  letter  dated  "  Abel  Belknap's,  October  23d,"  Gen.  Clinton  writes:  "The  enemy's 
frigate  still  lies  below  the  chevaux-de-frise,  and  it  was  my  opinion  she  was  stationed  there 
to  prevent  our  sinking  any  more;  but  Gen.  Winds  informed  me  yesterday  he  thought  she 
wanted  to  get  higher  vip,  as  she.had  boats  constantly  sounding  the  channel.  Gen.  Winds' 
Brigade  consists  of  about  500  or  GOO  men,  and  is  still  increasing.  They  are  stationed  at 
New  Windsor.  Capt.  NicoUs  and  his  company  at  the  creek.  Col.  Thurston's  and  Col. 
Woodhull's  Eegiments  from  the  County  line  to  Butter  Hill,  and  thence  along  the  Clove 
road  to  Francis  Smith's.  Col.  McLaughry's  Regiment  at  Hasbrouck's  Mill,  keeping  their 
main  guard  at  Newburgh.  Major  DuBois  with  his  company  from  Newburgh  along  the 
river  North." 

X  Precinct  records. 

§  The  house  was  removed  many  years  ago. 


144  IITSTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


he  concerted  measures  to  counteract  the  campaig-n  of  the  enemy,  who 
by  moving  on  New  London  and  the  Connecticut  (X)ast,  hoped  to  draw 
the  continental  forces  in  that  direction  and  render  the  Highland  forts 
an  easy  prey.  Instead  of  meeting-  these  anticipations,  Washington 
sent  Wayne  to  attack  Stony  Point,  and  the  decisive  action  there  com- 
pelled the  enemy  to  abandon  the  Connecticut  expedition  and  with  it 
the  reduction  of  West  Point.  Although  found  to  be  untenable  and 
hence  abandoned,  the  capture  of  Stony  Point  was  one  of  the  boldest 
and  most  successful  strategic  movements  of  the  war.  Finding  that 
Washington  could  Jiot  be  induced  to  leave  West  Point  defence- 
less. Sir  Henry  Clinton  organized  a  campaign  against  the  southern 
states.  Retaining  his  head-quarters  at  the  Ellison  house,  Washington 
remained  in  comparative  idleness.  It  was  the  darkest  period  of  the 
war;  without  assistance  from  European  powers,  the  cause  of  inde- 
pendence was  acknowledged  to  l)e  hopelessly  lost.  Ultimately  that 
assistance  was  secured;  France  furnished  an  army  and  a  fleet;  Hol- 
land sent  money;  confidence  revived;  the  continental  forces  were 
recruited  and  under  the  drill  of  Steuben,  rivaled  in  discipline  the 
armies  of  Europe.  Threatening  an  attack  on  New  York,  and  thereby 
bliging  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  retain  his  re-enforcements  at  tliat  place, 
Washington  changed  his  plans,  and  before  Sir  Henry  was  aware  of 
it,  had  moved  his  forces  from  New  Windsor  and  was  far  on  the  march 
toward  Yorktown. 

Soon  after  the  successful  termination  of  tiie  siege  of  Yorktown 
(October  7,  1781),  the  main  portion  of  the  American  army  returned 
to  the  Hudson  river;  and  Washington  (April,  1782,)  made  his  head- 
(juarters  at  the  Hasbrouck  house  in  Newburgh.  For  a  short  time  in 
the  autumn  of  1782,  the  army  was  encamped  at  Verplanck's  Point, 
where  a  junction  was  effected  with  the  French  army,  which,  until 
that  time  had  remained  in  Virginia.  Immediately  after  this  junction, 
the  latter  marched  to  Boston,  and  the  American  ai'my  crossed  the 
Hudson  and  went  into  Avinter  quarters  above  the  Higidands— portioTis 
being  stationed  at  New  Windsor,*  at  Fishkill,  and  in  the  vicinity  of 
Walden.     Generals  Knox  and  Greene  were  quartered  at  the  house  of 


o 


*  October  30,  1782.— At  reveille,  on  the  26th  inst.,  the  left  wing  of  the  army,  under  the 
command  of  General  Heath,  decamped  from  Verplanck's  Point  and  marched  to  the  High- 
lands; took  up  our  lodgings  in  the  woods,  without  covering,  and  were  exposed  to  a  heavy 
ram  during  the  night  and  day.  Thence  we  crossed  the  Hudson  to  West  Point,  and 
inarched  over  the  mountain  called  Butter  hill;  passed  the  night  in  the  open  field,  and  the 
next  day  reached  the  ground  where  we  are  to  erect  log  huts  for  our  winter  quarters  near 
New  \\mdsor.— r/(oc/(,er',s  Journal,  323. 

The  Rev.  Mr  Gauo  writes  in  his  journal:  "  On  my  return  to  the  army  we  encamped  at 
JNewlmrgh,  and  erected  some  huts,  and  a  place  for  public  worship  on  the  Lord's  day.  We 
had  three  services  a  day  and  preached  in  rotation." 

The  Camp  ground  at  New  Windsor  can  still  be  distinctly  traced  by  the  ruins  of  the  huts 
occixpiedby  the  soldiers.  The  troops  stationed  there  were  the  New  England  line,  Van 
Cortland  s  New  York  Regiment,  and  the  Marvland  and  part  of  the  Virginia  line.  Part  of 
the  ground  had  probably  been  previously  occupied  by  the  New  York  militia. 


of 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  145 


Mr.  J(jhn  Ellison  (late  Capt.  Charles  Morton's),  Generals  Gates  and 
St.  Clair  were  quartered  at  tlie  Edmonston  house,  near  Ellison's; 
Wayne  at  the  old  hotel  (jf  Martin  Weig-and,  in  Newburgh;  and  the 
Baron  Steuben  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Samuel  Verplanck,  in  Fishkill* 
During  the  summer  of  1783,  a  portion  of  the  army  was  in  tents  on 
the  plain  now  occupied  by  the  upper  streets  of  the  city,  and  passed 
throng'h  the  usual  exercises  of  camp  life  under  the  careful  drill  of 
Barcjn  Steuben.  Tiie  army  remained  in  camp  here  until  the  3d  of 
November,   when  it  was  formally  disbanded. 

For  a  long  time  prior  to  the  breaking  up  ()f  the  army,  discontent 
had  prevailed  among  the  soldiers  and  officers  respecting  the  arrear- 
ages in  their  pay.  On  the  30th  October,  1780,  congress  had  passed 
resolutions  granting  half-pay  for  life  to  the  officers,  but  these  resolu- 
tions stood  on  the  faith  of  a  government  with  no  funds  to  enable  it  to 
perform  its  engagements;  and  after  their  passage,  the  articles  of 
confederation  had  been  adopted  which  made  the  consent  of  nine 
states  necessary  to  give  validity  to  any  act  appropriating  public 
money;  and  nine  states  had  never  been  in  favor  of  the  half-pay  reso- 
lutions. Under  these  circumstances,  and,  considering  the  very  scanty 
supplies  that  were  furnished  to  the  army,  it  was  qnite  natural  that  dis- 
content should  prevail. 

Complaints  were  frequently  made  to  Washington,  who  was  fully 
sensible  of  the  sufferings  of  his  companions  in  arms,  and  the  mpst 
earnest  appeals  were  made  by  him  to  congress  to  satisfy  their  claim; 
but  congress  depended  entirely  on  the  states,  and  thus  was  powerless 
to  accomplish  the  end  desired.  The  army  now  resolved  to  take  the 
matter  into  their  own  hands,  and  Colonel  Nicola,  an  experienced 
officer  and  a  gentleman  of  high  character,  was  selected  to  communi- 
cate to  Wasliiiigton  their  wishes  and  fears.  In  May,  1782,  Nicola 
addressed  a  letter  to  Washington  at  Newburgh,  in  which,  after  some 
general  remarks  on  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  army,  and  the 
little  hope  that  their  services  would  be  rewarded  by  congress,  he  dis- 
cussed the  different  forms  of  government  with  a  view  to  show  that 
republics  were,  of  all  others,  the  least  stable,  and  the  least  adapted 
to  secure  the  rights,  freedom  and  power  of  individuals — and  then 
made  a  formal  tender  to  Washington,  on  behalf  of  thosSe  for  whom  he 
acted,  of  the  title  of  King.  "  In  this  case,"  says  the  writer,  "it  will, 
1  believe  be  uncf)ntroverted,  that  the  same  abilities  that  have  led  us 
through  difficulties  apparently  insurmountable  by  human  power,  to 
victory  and  glory — those  qualities  that  have  merited  and  obtained  the 


*  With  tlie  exception  of  the  house  occupied  by  General  Wayne,  these  buildings  are  now- 
standing.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  add  that  the  Life-guard  of  Washington  occupied 
tents  where  the  old  malt-house,  on  Liberty  street,  now  stands.  The  store-house  of  the 
Commissary-genefal  was  where  the  Union  Presbyterian  church  stands. 


010 


146  HISTORY  OF  NEWBimOH. 

universal  esteem  and  veneration  of  the  army — would  be  most  likely 
to  conduct  and  direct  us  in  the  smoother  paths  of  peace.  Some 
people  have  so  associated  the  idea  of  tyranny  and  monarchy  as  to 
find  it  difficult  to  separate  them.  It  may,  therefore,  be  requisite  to 
give  the  head  of  such  a  constitution  as  I  propose  some  title  appar- 
ently more  moderate;  but,  if  all  other  things  v^Qxe  once  adjusted,  I 
believe  strong  arguments  might  be  produced  for  admitting  the  title 
of  King,  which  I  conceive  would  be  attended  with  some  advantage." 

We  are  aware  that  it  has  been  denied  that  this  was  an  offer  of  the 
title  of  king,  yet  the  whole  tenor  of  the  letter  leads  to  the*  opposite 
conclusion.  Tliat  it  was  so  regarded  by  Washington,  is  evident  from 
his  reply,  in  which  he  says:  "With  a  mixture  of  surprise  and  aston- 
ishment, I  have  read  with  attention  the  sentiments  you  have  sub- 
mitted to  my  perusal.  Be  assured,  Sir,  no  occurrence  in  the  course  of 
this  war  has  given  me  more  painful  sensations  than  your  information 
of  there  being  such  ideas  existing  in  the  army,  as  you  have  expressed, 
and  which  I  must  view  with  abhorrence  and  reprehend  with  severity. 
For  the  present  the  consideration  (»f  them  will  rest  in  my  own  bosom, 
unless  some  further  agitation  of  the  matter  shall  make  a  disclosure 
necessary.  I  am  much  at  a  loss  to  (Conceive  what  part  of  my  conduct 
could  have  given  encouragement  to  an  address  which  seems  to  me 
big  with  the  greatest  mischiefs  that  can  befall  my  country.  If  I  am 
not  deceived  in  the  knowledge  of  myself,  you  could  not  have  found  a 
person  to  whom  your  schemes  are  more  disagreeable.  At  the  same 
time,  in  justice  to  my  own  feelings,  I  must  add,  that  wo  man  possesses 
a  more  serious  wish  to  see  ample  justice  done  to  the  army  than  I  do; 
and,  as  far  as  my  power  and  influence,  in  a  constitutional  way,  extend, 
they  shall  be  employed,  to  the  utmost  of  my  abilities,  to  effect  it, 
should  there  be  any  occasion.  Let  me  conjure  you,  then,  if  you  have 
any  regard  for  your  country,  concern  for  yourself,  or  posterity,  or 
respect  for  me,  to  banish  these  thoughts  from  your  mind,  and  never 
communicate,  as  from  yourself,  or  any  one  else,  a  sentiment  of  the 
like  nature."  * 

This  rebuke  effectually  checked  luonarchial  tendencies,  but  it  did 
not  remove  the  evils  under  wliicli  the  army  suffered;  on  the  contrary, 
the  grounds  of  discontent  continu(Ml  rather  to  increase.  Congress  pro- 
posed to  reduce  the  army,  and  to  discharge  many  of  the  officers. 
Washington,  fearing  the  result  of  the  measure,  urged  the  compensa- 
tion of  the  officers  and  men.  "  When  I  see,"  he  adds,  "such  a  Tium- 
ber  of  men,  goaded  by  a  thousand  stings  of  reflection  on  the  past,  and 
of  anticipation  on  the  future,  about  to  be  turned  into  the  world,  soured 
by  penury,  and  what  they  call  the  ingratitude  of  the  public;  involved 

*  Sparks'  Washington,  viii.,  300,  302. 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  147 


in  debts,  without  one  farthing-  of  money  to  carry  them  home,  after 
having-  spent  the  flower  of  their  days,  and,  many  of  them,  their  patri- 
monies, in  establishing-  the  freedom  and  independence  of  their  country; 
and  having  suffered  everything  which  huuian  nature  is  capable  of  en- 
during- on  this  side  death;  I  repeat  it,  when  I  reflect  on  these  irritable 
circumstances,  unattended  by  one  thing-  to  sooth  their  feeling-s  or 
brighten  their  prospects,  I  cannot  avoid  apprehending  that  a  train  of 
evils  will  follow  of  a  serious  and  distressing  nature.  *  *  You  may 
rely  upon  it,  the  patience  and  long-suffering  of  this  army  are  almost 
exhausted,  and  there  never  was  so  great  a  spirit  of  disccjntent  as  at 
this  instant."  This  letter  explains  i'ully  the  situation  and  motives  of 
the  army,  and  the  power  of  the  restraining  influence  of  Washington. 

The  negotiations  for  peace  were  now  in  the  hands  of  commis- 
sioners; and,  in  view  of  the  speedy  dissolution  of  the  army,  the 
officers  determined  upon  one  more  effort  to  secure  that  which  they 
claimed  as  their  right.  Previous  to  going  into  winter  quarters  (De- 
cember, 1782),  tlie}^  presented  a  petition  to  congress,  proposing  to 
accept,  instead  of  the  money  actually  due  to  them,  a  commutation  of 
the  half-pay  stipulated  by  the  resolutions  of  October,  1780,  which, 
they  flattered  themselves,  would  be  less  objectionable  than  the  half- 
pay  establishment.  Some  security  that  the  engagements  of  the 
government  would  be  complied  with,  was  also  requested.  But  in 
consequence  of  the  divisions  in  congress  upon  other  subjects,  the 
important  point  in  this  petition — tlie  commutation  of  the  half-pay  of 
the  officers — remained  undecided  in  March,  when  intelligence  was 
received  of  the  signature  of  the  preliminar}'  and  final  articles  of 
peace  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain.  Soured  by  their 
past  sufferings,  their  present  wants  and  their  gloomy  prospects;  and 
exasperated  by  the  neglect  with  which  they  believed  themselves  to  be 
treated,  and  by  the  injustice  that  they  supposed  was  meditated  against 
them,  the  ill-tciiiper  of  the  army  was  almost  universal,  and  seemed  to 
re(]uire  only  a  slight  breath  to  cause  it  to  burst  forth  into  a  flame. 

Early  in  March,  a  letter  was  received  from  the  committee  in  atten- 
dance upon  the  session  of  congress,  stating  that  they  had  failed  to 
accomplish  the  object  of  their  mission.  On  the  10th  of  the  same 
month,  an  anonymous  paper  was  circulated,  requesting  a  meeting  of 
the  general  and  field  officers  at  the  public  building*  on  the  succeeding 
day;  and  stating  that  an  officer  from  each  company,  and  also  a  dele- 
gate from  the  medical   staff,  would   be  expected.     The  object  of  the 


*  The  "public  building  "  here  referred  to  was  sometimes  called  the  "  new  building  "  and 
"  the  Temple."  The  title  of  "  new  building  "  is  understood  to  have  been  used  to  distin- 
guish it  from  a  building  which  had  been  erected  in  the  early  part  of  the  war  in  connection 
with  the  barracks  of  the  militia  of  the  district.  It  was  situated  on  what  is  now  the  farm 
of  Mr.  WUliam  McGill,  in  New  Windsor,  and  was  used  for  public  assembhes. 


148  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBGII. 


convciitidii  was  avuwcd  to  be,  "to  coDsidor  the  late  letter  from  their 
representatives  in  Pliiladelphia,  and  what  measures  (if  any),  should 
be  adopted  to  obtain  that  redress  of  grievances  which  they  seemed  to 
have  solicited  in  vain." 

On  the  same  day  an  address  to  the  ami}'  was  circulated,  admirably 
adapted  to  work  on  the  passiims  and  lo  excite  tlie  most  desperate  res- 
olutions. In  this  paper,  the  writer  reviewed  the  services  of  \\w  army 
— the  toils  and  privations  that  had  been  encountered  in  securing-  the 
independenc(>  of  the  states;  adverted  to  the  injustice  with  which  the 
army  had  been  treated,  and  urged  tli(>  necessity  of  some  decisive 
action.  "I  would  advise  you,  therefore,"  he  concluded,  "to  come  to 
some  tinal  oi)inion  upon  what  you  can  l)ear,  and  what  you  will  suller. 
If  your  determination  be  in  any  proportion  to  your  wrongs,  cany 
your  appeal  I'roni  the  justice  to  the  fears  of  government.  Change  the 
milk  and  water  style  of  your  last  memorial — assume  a  bolder  tone — 
decent,  but  lively,  spirited  and  determined,  and  suspect  the  man  who 
would  advise  to  more  moderation  and  hiuger  forbearance.  Let  two 
or  three  men  who  can  feel  as  well  as  write,  be  app(tinted  to  draw  up 
your  last  remonstravce:  for  1  would  no  longer  give  it  the  sueing,  soft, 
unsuccessful  e})ithet  of  memorial.  Let  it  l»e  represented,  in  language 
that  will  neither  dishonor  you  by  its  rudeness,  nor  betray  you  by  its 
fears,  what  has  been  promised  by  congress  and  what  has  been  per- 
formed— how  long  and  patiently  you  have  suifered — how  little  you 
have  asked,  and  how  much  of  that  little  has  been  denied.  Tell  them 
that,  tliough  you  were  the  first,  you  would  wish  to  be  the  last  to  en- 
counter danger,  and  though  despair  itself  can  never  driv(^  you  into 
dishonor,  it  may  <lrivt"  you  from  the  field;  that  the  wound  often  irri- 
tated and  never  healed,  may  at  length  i>econie  incurable;  and  that  the 
slightest  mark  of  indignity  from  congress  now,  must  operate  like  the 
grave  and  \r,\r[  yon  forever;  that  in  any  political  event,  the  army  has 
its  alternative.  If  peace,  that  nothing  shall  se|)arate  you  from  your 
arms  but  death;  if  war,  that,  courting  the  auspices  and  inviting  the 
directfons  of  your  illustrious  leader,  you  will  retire  to  some  unsettled 
country,  smile  in  your  tiuii,  and  "mock  when  their  fear  cometh  on." 
But  let  it  repr(>sent,  also,  that  should  they  eomply  with  the  re(piest  of 
your  late  memorial,  it  would  m:ikeyou  more  happy  and  them  more  re- 
spectable; that  while  war  should  continue,  you  would  follow  their 
standard  into  the  field,  and  wiien  it  came  to  an  end,  you  would  with- 
draw into  the  shade  of  private  life,  and  give  the  world  another  sub- 
ject of  wonder  and  applause;  an  army  victorious  over  its  enemies — 
victorious  over  itself." 

Persmvded  as  the  officers  generally  were  of  the  indispt)sition  of  the 
guvermnent  to  remunerate  their  services,  this  passionate  address  made 


BEVOLUTIONAIiY  EVENTS.  149 


a  profound  improssion;  and  nothing  seemed  wanting  but  the  ass(>ni- 
bhige  fixed  for  the  succeeding"  day  to  produce  the  most  disastrous 
results.  "Fortunately,"  says  Marsliall,  "  the  commander-in-chief"  was 
in  camp;  and  his  characteristic  firmness  did  not  f'orsalie  him  in  tliis 
crisis.  'I'hc  occasion  i-cquired  that  his  measures  sfiould  he  iirm,  l)ut 
prudent  and  conciiiatoi-y;  evincive  of  liis  fixed  determination  to  oppose 
any  rasli  pidccedings,  Ijut  calcuhited  to  assuage  tiic  irritation  which 
was  excited  and  to  restore  a  confidence  in  government."  This  course 
he  at  once  adopted;  and  in  the  general  orders  of  the  next  daj^  he 
noticed  the  anonymous  paper,  and  exjnessed  th(^  conviction  he  felt 
that  the  good  sense  of  the  officers  would  guard  them  against  paying 
any  "attention  to  such  an  irregular  invitation;"  Init  his  own  duty,  he 
ctmceived,  "as  well  as  the  reputation  and  true  interests  of  the  army 
required  his  disapprobation  of  such  disorderly  proceedings.  At  the 
same  time,  he  requested  the  general  and  field  officers,  with  one  officer 
from  eacli  C(»mpany,  and  a  proper  representation  from  the  staff  of  the 
army,  to  assendtle  at  tw(dve  o'clock,  on  Saturday  the  15th  October,  at 
the  new  building,  to  hear  the  report  of  the  comndttee  deputed  by  the 
army  to  Congress.  After  mature  deliberation,  they  will  devise  what 
further  measures  ought  to  be  adopted  as  most  raticjnal  and  best  calcu- 
lated to  attain  tlie  just  and  important  object  in  view." 

These  orders  changed  the  whole  aspect  of  affairs,  and  the  meeting 
called  by  the  anonymous  writer  was  n(jt  held.  By  a  master-policy, 
Washington  had  placed  himself,  as  it  were,  at  the  head  of  the  move- 
ment for  redress,  and  had  appointed  in  regular  form  a  time  and  place 
of  meeting.  On  the  day  succeeding  the  publication  of  these  orders, 
a  second  anonymoJis  address  made  its  appearance,  from  the  same  pen 
which  had  written  the  former,  in  which  the  writer  affected  to  consider 
the  orders  in  a  light  favorable  to  his  views.  "Until  now,"  said  he, 
"  the  commander-in-chief  lias  regarded  the  steps  you  have  taken  for 
redress  with  good  wishes  ahme;  his  ostensible  silence  has  authorized 
your  meetings,  and  liis  private  opinion  has  sanctioned  your  claims. 
Had  he  disliked  the  object  in  view,  would  not  the  same  sense  of  duty 
which  forbade  you  from  meeting  on  the  third  day  of  the  week,  have 
forbidden  you  from  meeting  on  the  seventh?"* 

On    the    15th,   the    convention    of   officers    assembled   at   the   new 


*  The  writer  of  these  letters  was  Major  John  Armstrong,  at  that  time  a  young  man  of 
twenty-six,  and  aid-de-camp  to  Major  (joneral  Gates.  Some  years  after  the  letters  were 
written,  Armstrong  acknowledged  their  authorship;  but  insisted  that  they  were  written 
"at  the  solicitation  of  friends,  as  the  chosen  organ  to  express  the  sentiments  of  the 
officers  of  the  army,  and  were  only  an  honest  and  manly  though  perhaps  an  indiscreet 
endeavor  to  support  pul^hc  credit,  and  do  justice  to  a  patient,  long-suttering  and  gallant 
army."  Although  entertaining  a  different  opinion  at  the  time  the  letters  appeared, 
Washington,  in  1797,  writes:  "  I  have  since  had  sufficient  reason  for  believing,  that  the 
object  of  the  author  was  just,  honorable  and  friendly  to  our  country,  though  the  means 
suggested  by  him  were  certainly  liable  to  nuich  misunderstanding  and  abuse." — Sparks' 
Life  of  WushiiKjlon. 


150  HIS  TOBY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

building:,  and  General  Gates  took  the  chair.  There  was  a  full  atten- 
dance of  officers;  and  deep  solemnity  pervaded  the  assembly  as  the 
commander-in-chief  stepped  upon  the  platform  to  read  an  address  that 
he  had  prepared  for  the  occasion.  Amid  the  most  profound  attention 
Washington  commenced  reading:  "Gentlemen:  By  an  anonymous 
summons,  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  convene  you  together.  How 
inconsistent  with  the  rules  of  propriety,  how  unmilitary,  and  how 
subversive  of  all  order  and  discipline,  let  the  good  sense  of  the  army 
decide."  Pausing  for  a  moment,  he  drew  out  his  spectacles,  carefully 
wiped  and  adjusted  them,  and  wliile  doing  so  remarked:  "These  eyes, 
my  friends,  have  grown  dim,  and  these  locks  white  in  the  service;  yet 
I  have  never  doubted  the  justice  of  my  country."  *  The  effect  was 
electrical.  The  whole  scene,  when  we  consider  the  time,  the  place, 
the  man,  the  object  of  the  convention,  was  hardly  surpassed  in  in- 
terest by  any  other  event  of  those  eventful  days. 

Resuming  his  address,  Washington  exhibited  the  anonjnnous  letters 
as  "designed  bi  answer  the  most  insidious  purposes,"  while  their 
ostensible  object  was  simply  to  secure  the  redress  of  grievances.  He 
then  noticed  more  particularly  the  remedies  proposed  in  the  letters  for 
the  assumed  injustice  of  congress.  The  alternative  presented,  said  he, 
of  "either  deserting  our  country  in  the  extremest  hour  of  her  distress, 
or  turning  our  arms  against  it,  which  is  the  apparent  object,  unless 
congress  can  be  compelled  into  instant  compliance,  has  something  so 
shocking  in  it,  that  humanity  revolts  at  the  idea.  My  God  !  what 
can  this  writer  have  in  view,  by  recommending  such  measures  ?  can 
he  be  a  friend  of  the  army  ?  can  he  be  a  friend  to  his  country  ?  rather 
is  he  not  the  insidious  foe  plotting  the  ruin  of  both,  by  sowing-  the 
seeds  of  discord  and  separation  between  the  civil  and  military  powers 
of  the  continent." 

He  then  explained  what  appeared  to  him  to  be  the  causes  of  delay 
in  the  action  of  congress — pledged  himself  to  exert  whatever  abilities 
he  possessed  in  order  to  obtain  the  demands  of  the  army;  and  assured 
them  that,  previous  to  tlieir  dissolution  as  an  army,  congress  would 
cause  all  their  accounts  to  be  fairly  liquidated,  and  that  they  would 
"adopt  the  most  effectual  measures  in  their  power"  to  render  ample 
justice  bi  the  army  "for  its  faithful  and  meritorious  services." 

Concludirig  with  a  direct  appeal  to  those  present,  he  exclaimed: 
"  Let  me  conjure  you  in  the  name  of  our  common  country,  as  you 
respect  the  rights  of  humanity;  and  as  you  regard  the  military  and 
national  character  of  America;  to  express  your  utmost  horror  and 
detestation  of  the  man  who  wishes,  under  any  specious  pretences,  to 
overturn  the  liberties  of  our  country;  and  who  wickedly  attempts  to 

*  Am.  Biol.  Die.  827.    Irving's  Washington,  iv. 


HEVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  151 


open  the  flood-g'ates  of  civil  discord,  and  deluge  our  rising-  empire  in 
blood.  By  thus  determining-  and  acting,  you  will  pursue  the  plain 
and  direct  road  to  the  attainment  of  your  wishes;  you  will  defeat  the 
insidious  designs  of  our  enemies,  who  are  compelled  to  resort  from 
open  force  to  secret  artifice;  yyu  will  give  one  more  distinguished 
proof  of  unexampled  patriotism  and  patient  virtue,  rising  superior  to 
the  pressure  of  the  most  complicated  sufferings;  and  you  will,  by  the 
dignity  of  your  conduct,  afford  occasion  for  posterity  to  say,  when 
speaking  of  the  glorious  example  you  have  exhibited  to  mankind — 
had  this  day  been  imnting  the  ivorld  had  never  seen  the  last  stage  of  per- 
fection that  human  nature  is  capable  of  attaining .'" 

These  sentiments,  says  Marshall,  from  a  person  whom  they  had 
been  accustomed  to  love,  to  reverence,  and  to  obe}';  the  solidity  of 
whose  judgment,  and  the  sincerity  of  whose  zeal  for  their  interests 
were  alike  unquestioned,  could  not  fail  to  be  irresistible.  No  sooner 
had  the  commander-in-chief  withdrawn  from  the  room,  than  General 
Knox  moved,  and  General  Putnam  seconded,  a  I'esolution  tendering 
the  thanks  of  the  convention  to  "His  Excellency,  and  assuring  him 
that  the  t)fficers  reciprocated  his  affectionate  expressions  with  the 
greatest  sincerity  of  which  the  human  heart  is  capable."  This  reso- 
lution was  unanimously  voted;  and,  on  motion  of  General  Putnam,  a 
committee,  consisting  of  General  Knox,  Colonel  Brooks,  and  Captain 
Howard,  was  appointed  to  prepare  resolutions  on  the  business  before 
the  convention,  and  report  in  half  an  hour. 

The  committee,  after  consultation,  reported  a  series  of  resolutions 
which  were  passed  unanimously.  These  resolutions  expressed  un- 
shaken confidence  in  the  justice  of  congress;  and  that  the  represen- 
tatives of  America  would  "  not  disband  or  disperse  the  army  until 
their  accounts  "  were  "liquidated,  the  balances  accurately  ascertained, 
and  adequate  funds  established  for  payment;"  and  that  in  this  arrange- 
ment the  officers  expected  "that  the  half-pay,  or  commutation  for  it, 
should  be  efficaciously  comprehended."  It  was  further  resolved, 
"  that  the  officers  of  the  American  army  view  with  abhorrence  and 
reject  with  disdain  the  infamous  propositions  contained  in  a  late 
anonymous  address  to  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  resent  with  indig- 
nation the  secret  attempts  of  some  unknown  persons  to  collect  the 
officers  together,  in  a  manner  totally  subversive  of  all  discipline  and 
good  order." 

The  triumph  of  right  was  complete.  The  storm  which  had  threat- 
ened to  overwhelm  the  infant  Republic,  was  hushed.  Washington 
immediately  enclosed  to  the  president  of  congress  the  proceedings, 
accompanied  by  a  letter  in  which  he  again  urged  prompt  attention  to 
the  subject.     Not  only  did  he  assume  the  entire  justice  of  the  claims 


152  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

of  the  army;  but.  for  tlic  first  timo  in  his  liistory,  lie  asked  a  personal 
favor  of  cong-rcss.  "  Havinj;-,"  he  wrote,  "from  motives  of  justice, 
duty,  and  gratitude,  spontaneously  offered  myself  as  an  advocate  for 
their  riglits,  it  now  only  remains  for  me  to  perform  the  task  I  liave 
assumed,  and  to  intereeile  in  their  behalf,  as  1  now  do,  that  tlie  sov- 
ei-eign  power  will  he  pleased  t<i  veiify  the  preiliet  ions  1  have  pro- 
nouneed  of,  and  the  eonlidenee  the  army  have  reposed  in,  the  justice 
of  their  country." 

Immediately  t)n  the  reception  of  Washington's  dispatches,  congress 
passed,  with  the  concurrence  of  nine  states,  the  resolution  commuting 
the  half-pay  of  the  officers  into  a  sum  in  gi-oss  ('(jual  to  five  years  full 
pay;  and  the  result  was  received  by  the  army  with  great  satisfaction. 

Meanwhile  the  peace  conunissioners  had  comduded  their  lahois,  so 
far  as  arrang'ing  the  articles  bet  ween  (Ireat  Britain  and  the  Tnited 
States  was  concerned;  but  tlu>  exchang-e  of  ratifications  was  ctuitin- 
g'fuit  u]>on  a  similar  excininge  between  the  coidending  Europ(>an 
powers.  It  was  fi'ared  for  some  time  that  the  obstacles  to  a  g'lMieral 
pacification  would  not  be  overcome.  'I'lii'se  fears,  however,  were 
entirely  dispelled  by  a  letter  frtnii  La  Fayette,  in  March,  announcing' 
a  general  peace.  In  .\pril,  (iflicial  notilication  was  received  of  the 
exchange  <A'  pri'liminary  articles,  and  the  cessation  of  hostilities;  and 
the  commander-in-chief  announced  the  joyl'iU  intcdligence  to  the  army 
in  his  orders  of  April  ISth.  "The  comuKinder-in-i'liief","  reads  this 
interesting  paper,  "orders  the  cessation  of  hostilities,  between  the 
Tnited  States  of  Amerii'a  and  tlu'  King  of  Great  Britain,  to  lie  pub- 
licdy  ])roclaimed  at  the  new  bnililing-,  to-morrow  at  twelve  o'cloi'k; 
and  that  the  prnclamation  which  will  be  communicated  herewith,  be 
read  to-morrow  evening  at  the  head  of  e\ery  regiment  ami  coi'ps  of 
the  army;  after  which  the  chaplains,  with  the  several  brigades,  will 
render  thanks  to  Ahnighty  God  for  all  his  mercies,  particularly  for  his 
over-ruling-  the  wrath  of  man  to  his  own  ulorv,  and  causiiisi-  the  rau'c 
of  war  to  cease  among  the  nations." 

Although  the  proi'laimition  referred  to  extemled  only  to  tlit>  ci'ssa- 
tion  (if  hostilities,  yet  it  was  regarded  as  the  sure  prcn-iirsor  of  an 
event  to  the  accomplishment  of  wliii-h  Innl  been  dt'voted  the  toils  and 
snflerings  of  a  long  and  doubtful  contest;  and  as  the  morning  snn  of 
the  IDth  tinged  the  mountain  tops  it  was  hailed  with  reverberating 
peals  of  rejoicing.  In  this  feeling  W'ashingttui  joined,  "'fiie  com- 
mander-in-chief" continues  the  orders,  "far  from  endeavoring  to  stifle 
the  feelings  of  joy  in  his  own  bosom,  offers  his  most  cordial  congrat- 
ulations on  the  occasion,  to  all  the  otlicers  of  every  denomimition,  to 
all  the  troops  of  the  I'nited  States  in  general,  and  in  [lartit'ular  to 
those  gallant  and  deserving  men   w  ho   have    resolvt'd   to  defend  the 


REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  153 


rig^lits  of  their  invaded  country  so  long  as  the  war  should  contitiuc^; 
lor  these  are  the  men  who  ought  to  be  considered  as  the  pride  and 
'boast  of  the  American  army,  and  wlio,  crowned  with  w(dl-earned 
laurels,  may  soon  withdraw  from  the  field  of  glory  to  the  more  tran- 
quil walks  of  civil  life.  While  the  General  recollects  the  almost 
infinite  variety  of  scenes  through  which  we  have  passed  with  a 
mixture  (jf  pleasure,  astonishment  and  gratitude — while  he  contem- 
plates the  prospect  before  him  with  rapture — he  cannot  help  wishing 
that  all  the  brave  men,  of  whatever  condition  the}'  may  be,  who  have 
shared  in  the  toils  and  dangers  of  affecting  this  glorious  revolution, 
of  rescuing  millions  from  the  hand  of  oppression,  and  of  la^'ing  the 
foundation  of  a  gi'eat  empire,  might  be  impressed  with  a  proper  idea 
of  tile  dignified  part  they  have  been  called  to  act,  luider  the  smiles  of 
Providence,  on  the  stage  of  human  affairs;  for  happy,  thrice  hapyjy, 
shall  they  be  pronounced  hereafter,  who  have  contributed  anything, 
wht)  have  performed  the  meanest  office  in  erecting  this  stu|)endous 
fabric  of'  Freedom  and  Empire,  on  the  broad  basis  of  independency; 
who  have  assisted  in  protecting  the  rights  of  human  nature,  and 
establishing  an  asylum  for  the  poor  and  oppressed  of  all  nations  and 
religions."  *  *  "The  adjutant-general  will  have  such  working 
parties  detailed  to  assist  in  the  preparations  for  a  general  rejoicing 
as  the  chief  engineer,  with  the  army,  shall  call  for;  and  the  quarter- 
master-general will  also  furnish  such  materials  as  he  may  want." 

The  details  of  the  "general  rejoicing"  at  Nevvl)urgh,  New  Wind- 
sor, and  other  points  of  encampment,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1788,  have 
.  not  been  preserved.  The  order  (jf  Washington,  and  the  notes  by 
Thacher  and  Heath,*  indicate,  however,  that  it  was  conducted  with 
the  most  imposing  military  and  civil  ceremonies;  that,  as  had  been 
done  on  a  former  occasion, f  the  army  lined  the  banks  on  both  sides  of 
the  river,  with  burnished  arms  and  proudly'  floating  banners,  and,  at 
a  given  signal,  paused  and  presented  arms.  The  pealing  of  thirteen 
guns  from  West  Point  now  awoke  the  echoes  of  the  hills,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  SbfeM  dejote  which  rolled  along  the  lines  from  West  Point 
to  the  utmost  limits  of  the  camp.  The  "thrilling  fife-note  and  drums 
heart-kindling  beat,"  then  called  the  hosts  of  freedom  to  the  assembly, 


*  April  19,  1783.  At  noon  the  proclamation  of  congress  for  the  cessation  of  hostilities 
was  proclaimed  at  the  door  of  the  new  budding,  followed  by  three  huzzas ;  after  wliich  a 
prayer  was  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gano,  and  an  anthem  ( Indepe  tide  nee,  from  Billings,)  was 
performed  by  vocal  and  instrumental  music." — Heath's  Memoirs,  371. 

"  April  19,  1783.  On  the  completion  of  eight  years  from  the  memorable  battle  of  Lex- 
ington, the  proclamation  of  congress  for  a  cessation  of  hostilities  was  jjublished  at  the 
door  of  the  public  building,  followed  by  three  huzzas  ;  after  which  a  prayer  was  offered 
to  the  Almighty  liuler  of  the  world,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gano,  and  an  anthem  was  performed 
by  voices  and  instruments." — Thacher's  Journal,  343. 

t  The  celebration  of  the  birth  of  tlje  Dauphin.  Tradition  affirms  that  the  army  exerci- 
ses were  the  same  on  both  occasions. 


154 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


where  patriot  knees  bent  low  in  prayer  with  Chaplain  Gano;  and  at 
its  conclusion,  voices  and  instruments  joined  in  Billings'  anthem: 


"  The  States,  0  Lord,  with  songs  of  praise 

Sliall  in  Thy  strength  rejoice, 
And  bhist  with  Thy  salvation  raise 

To  Heaven  their  cheerful  voice. 
To  the  King  they  shall  sing  :  Halleluiah  ! 
Thy  goodness  and  Thy  tender  care 

Have  all  our  foes  destroyed  ; 
A  covenant  of  peace  Thou  mad'st  with  us, 

Confirmed  by  Thy  word ; 
A  covenant  Thou  mad'st  with  us, 

And  sealed  it  with  Thy  blood. 
To  the  King  they  shall  sing  :  Halleluiah  ! 

And  all  the  continent  shall  sing  : 

Down  with  this  earthly  king  ! 
No  king  but  God ! 
To  the  King  they  shall  sing :  Halleluiah ! 

And  the  continent  shall  sing : 

God  is  our  rightful  king !  Halleluiah ! 

And  the  continent  shall  sing  : 

God  is  our  gracious  king  !  Halleluiah ! 
They  shall  sing  to  the  King  :  Halleluiah ! 
Let  us  sing  to  the  King  :  Halleluiah ! 

God  is  the  king  !  Amen. 

The  Lord  is  His  name  !  Amen. 


May  His  blessing  descend. 
World  without  end, 
On  every  part  of  this  continent. 
May  harmony  and  peace 
Begin  and  never  cease. 
And  may  the  strength  increase 

Of  the  continent. 
May  American  wilds 
Be  filled  with  His  smiles. 
And  may  the  nations  bow 

To  our  royal  King. 
May  Rome,  France,  and  Spain, 
And  all  the  world  proclaim, 
The  glory  and  the  fame. 
Of  our  royal  King. 
God  is  the  king.    Amen. 
The  Lord  is  His  name.    Amen. 
Loud,  loudly  sing. 
That  God  is  the  King! 
May  His  reign  be  glorious  ; 
America  victorious  ; 
And  may  the  earth  acknowledge 
God  is  the  King  ! 
Amen.     Amen.     Amen."  * 


These  services  concluded,  the  army  returned  to  quarters  and  united 
in  festivities  suited  to  the  occasion.  As  the  day  closed,  the  signal 
guns  from  West  Point  again  called  the  soldiers  to  arms,  and  the  feu 
dejoie  again  rang  along  the  line.  This  was  three  times  repeated, 
accompanied  by  the  discharge  of  cannon,  "and  the  mountain  sides 
resounded  and  echoed  like  tremendous  peals  of  thunder,  and  the 
flashing  from  thousands  of  fire-arms  in  the  darkness  of  evening  was 
like  unto  vivid  flashings  of  lightning  from  the  clouds."  Then  the 
beacons  on  the  hill-tops,  no  longer  the  harbingers  of  danger,  lighted 
up  the  gloom  and  rolled  the  tidings  of  peace  on  through  New  England 
and  shed  their  radiance  on  the  blood-stained  field  of  Lexington. 

Released  in  a  great  measure  from  the  cares  and  anxieties  which 
had  so  long  pressed  heavily  upon  the  commander-in-chief  and  the 
army,  the  discipline  of  the  camp  was  relaxed;  officers  and  men  desir- 
ing them  were  granted  furloughs,  while  the  facilities  for  social  inter- 
course were  improved  to  the  fullest  extent  by  those  who  remained  in 
camp.  Entertainments  were  given  by  all  the  principal  officers;  at 
head-quarters  Mrs.  Washington  was  surrounded  by  all  the  court  of 
the  camp.  In  the  reception  and  dining  hall,  a  dinner  and  supper 
were  daily  served  as  plentiful  as  th(>  country  could  supply  and  as 


*  The  music  of  this  anthem  is  to  be  found  in  the  "Singing  Master's  Assistant,"  by  Wil- 
luim  Bilhngs.  Bost(m :  1778.  The  words  were  kindly  sent  to  the  editor  of  this  work  by 
Dr.  LoweU  Mason  a  short  time  before  his  death. 


REVOLUTIONAEY  EVENTS.  I55 


g-ood  as  could  be  made  hy  continental  cooks.  The  repast  ended, 
French  wines  for  our  Frencli  allies  and  those  who  aftected  their  tastes, 
and  more  substantial  Madeira  for  Americans  of  the  old  school,  circu- 
lated freely,  and  were  served  with  little  silver  mug-s  or  g'oblets,  made 
in  France  for  Washington's  camp  equipag-e.  In  the  summertime,  the 
guests  soon  withdrew  from  the  table  to  the  open  grounds;  but  in  the 
autumn,  the  long  evenings  were  frequently  passed  around  the  table, 
beside  the  blazing  fire.  On  such  occasions  apples  and  hickory  nuts 
mingled  with  the  wine;  and  the  amazing  consumption  of  the  former, 
by  Washington  and  his  staff,  was  a  theme  of  boundless  wonder  to  the 
French  guests.* 

In  July,  accompanied  by  Governor  Clinton,  Washington  made  the 
tour  of  northern  New  York,  and  discussed  the  question  of  internal 
navigation  by  a  system  of  canals,  which  was  subsequently  developed 
by  DeWitt  Clinton.  On  his  return  he  was  requested,  by  the  president 
of  congress,  to  attend  the  session  of  that  body  at  Princeton.  In  con- 
sequence of  the  illness  of  Mrs.  Wasliington,  however,  he  could  not 
comply  with  the  request  until  the  18th  of  August,  on  the  morning  of 
which  day  he  took  his  departure  from  Newburgh. 

The  detinite  treat}^  of  }:)eace  was  signed  on  the  23d  of  September. 
After  its  ratification  by  congress,  that  body  issued  a  proclamation 
(October  18,)t  by  which  "that  part  of  the  army  which  had  stood  en- 
gaged to  serve  during  the  war,  and  by  several  acts  of  congress  had 
bee)i  furloughed,  should  be  absolutely  discharged  after  the  3d  of  No- 
vember from  said  service;  and  the  further  service  in  the  field  of  the 
officers  on  furlough,  dispensed  with,  and  permission  given  to  them  to 
retire  from  service,  no  more  to  be  called  to  command."  J     On  the  pas- 

*  Verplanck  relates  the  following  anecdote,  in  connection  with  this  subject,  as  occurring 
in  Paris :  "  The  American  minister  (we  forget  whether  it  was  Mr.  Crawford,  Mr.  Brown,  or 
one  of  their  successors,)  and  several  of  his  countrymen,  together  with  La  Fayette,  were  in- 
vited to  an  entertainment  at  the  house  of  a  distinguished  and  patriotic  Frenchman,  who 
had  served  his  country  in  his  youth  in  the  United  States,  during  the  war  of  our  Indepen- 
dence. At  the  supper  hour  the  company  were  shown  into  a  room  fitted  up  for  the  occa- 
sion, which  contrasted  quite  oddly  with  the  Parisian  elegance  of  the  other  apartments, 
where  they  had  spent  the  evening.  Alow,  boarded,  painted  ceiling,  with  large  beams; 
a  single,  small,  uncurtained  window,  with  numerous  small  doors,  as  well  as  the  general 
style  of  the  whole,  gave  at  first  the  idea  of  the  kitchen,  or  largest  room  of  a  Dutch  or 
Belgian  farmhouse.  On  a  long  rough  table  was  a  repast,  just  as  httle  in  keeping  wth  the 
refined  Iritchen  of  Paris,  as  the  room  was  with  its  architecture.  It  consisted  of  large 
dishes  of  meat,  uncouth-looknig  pastry,  and  wine  in  decanters  and  bottles,  accompanied 
by  glasses  and  silver  mugs,  such  as  indicated  other  habits  and  tastes  than  those  of  modern 
Paris.  "  Do  you  know  where  we  are  ?"  said  the  host  to  General  La  Fayette  and  his  com- 
panions. They  paused  for  a  few  moments  in  suspense.  They  had  seen  something  like 
this  before,  but  when  and  where  ?  "  Ah,  the  seven  doors  and  one  window,"  said  La  Fay- 
ette, "and  the  silver  camp-goblets,  such  as  our  marshals  of  France  used  in  my  youth! 
We  are  at  Washington's  head-quarters  on  the  Hudson,  fifty  years  ago." 

t  By  a  proclamation  of  congress,  adopted  October  18th,  all  officers  and  soldiers  absent 
on  furlough,  were  discharged  from  further  service;  and  all  others  who  had  engaged  to 
serve  during  the  war,  were  to  be  discharged  from  and  after  the  .Sd  of  November.  A  small 
force  only,  composed  of  those  who  had  enlisted  for  a  definite  period,  were  to  be  retained 
in  service  until  the  peace  establishment  should  be  organized.— 7ry('/(f/,  iv,  434. 

X  When  the  army  was  disbanded,  Washington  was  at  West  Point,  moving  from  thence 
to  New  York  on  the  evacuation  of  that  city  by  the  British,  Nov.  25th,  1783. 


150  HISTORY  OF   NEWBVROU. 

s:io-(>  of  this  piocliiinatiDii,  Washing-toii,  then  at  Rocky  Hill,  N.  J., 
pivparcd  his  Farewell  Orderx  to  the  Armij  of  the  United  States,  which 
W(Mv  dated  in  advance  of  their  delivery  (November  3d,)  that  they 
might  lie  read  at  the  same  iioiir  at  all  the  i)(.iiils  of  eiicaiiipmeiit.  In 
these  orders  he  hrietly  reviewed  the  events  of  the  past,  and  sugg-ested 
the  general  line  of  policy  which,  in  his  opinion,  shonld  lie  pursued  by 
the  army  in  the  luture;  promising  his  recommendations  to  cong'ress 
in  its  behalf,  and  invoking  "the  choicest  of  Heaven's  I'avors"  npon 
all  its  members,  whose  efforts  had  secured  "innumerable  blessing-s 
for  ()thers!"~\vitli  this  beMedicti(Ui  drawing  the  cnrtain  of  separation 
and  closing  the  military  scene  b>  him  forever. 

(hi  the  morning  of  Novend)er  ;5d,  1783,  the  patriot  army  encamped 
at  Newburg-h  and  New  Windsor  assembled  for  the  last  time.  At  the 
head  of  each  regiment  and  corps  the  proclamation  of  congress  and 
the  farewell  orders  of  Washington  were  read,  and  the  fornml  and  last 
word  of  conunand  passed  along  the  lines.  "Painfnl,"  says  Thacher, 
"was  the  parting  scene;  no  description  can  be  adequate  to  the  tragic 
exhibition.  Both  officers  and  soldiers,  long  nnaccustonied  to  the  af- 
fairs of  private  life,  turned  loose  on  the  world  to  starve  and  ln'come 
a  prey  to  vulture  speculators.  Never  can  that  inelanchol}'  day  be 
forgotten  when  friends,  companions  for  seven  long  years  in  joy  and 
sorrow,  wore  torn  asunder,  without  the  hope  of  ever  meeting  again, 
and  with  prospects  of  a.  miseral)le  subsistence  in  i'uture."  * 

Major  North,  who  was  also  a  participant  in  this  parting  scene,  thus 
wiites:  "  At  the  disbandment  of  the  revolutionary  army,  when  inmates 
of  the  same  tent,  or  hut,  for  seven  long  years  were  separating,  and 
probably  forever,  grasping  each  other's  hand  in  silent  agony;  I  saw 
the  Baron  Steuben's  strong  endeavoi's  to  throw  some  ray  of  sunshine 
on  the  gloom — to  mix- some  drop  of  cordial  with  the  painfid  draught. 
To  go,  they  knew  not  whither;  all  recollection  of  the  art  to  thrive 
by  civil  occu})ation  lost,  or  to  the  youthful  never  known.  Their  hard- 
earned  military  knowledge,  worse  than  useless;  and  with  their  badgef 

*  Thacher's  Journal,  346. 

+  "  HEAD-yTiAUTEUs,  Newbukgh,  Weclucsday,  August  7tti,  1782.  Honorary  badges  of 
(listiiiction  are  to  he  conferred  on  the  veteran  uou-comniissioncd  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
army  who  have  sia-vcd  more  than  three  years  with  bravery,  tidelity  and  good  conduct:  for 
this  pnri)ose  a  narrow  piece  of  white  cloth  of  an  angular  form  is  to  be  fixed  to  the  left  arm 
on  the  uniformed  coats— non-commissioned  officun's  and  sohliers  who  have  served  with  equal 
reputation  more  than  six  y(>ars  are  to  be  distinguished  by  two  pieces  of  cloth  set  in  paral- 
lel to  each  other  in  a  similar  form.  Should  any  who  are  not  entitled  to  these  honors  have 
th(^  insolence  to  assume  the  badges  of  theui,  they  shall  be  severely  punished.  On  the  other 
iiand,  it  is  expected  those  gallant  men  who  are  thus  designated  Avill  on  all  occasions  be 
tn^ated  with  particular  coiilideuco  and  consideration.  The  (leneral,  ever  desirous  to  cher- 
ish a  virtuous  ambition  in  his  soldiers,  as  well  as  to  foster  and  encourage  every  species  of 
mihtary  merit,  directs  that  whenever  any  singularly  meritorious  action  is  performed,  the 
author  of  it  sliall  be  i)erniitted  to  wear  on  his  facings  over  the  left  breast,  the  figure  of  a 
heart  in  puri)le  cloth  or  silk,  edged  with  narrow  lace  or  binding.  Not  only  instances  of 
unusnal  gallantry,  but  also  of  extraordinary  lidi'lity  and  essential  service  in  any  way,  shall 
meet  with  due  n^ward.  *  *  This  order  is  also  to  have  retrospect  to  the  earliest  stages 
of  the  war,  and  to  bo  considered  as  a  permanent  cue." 


CO 

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REVOLUTIONARY  EVENTS.  I57 


of  brotherhood,  a  mark  at  which  to  point  the  finger  of  snspicion — ig- 
noble, vile  suspicion!— to  be  cast  out  on  a  world  long  since  by  them 
forgotten.  Severed  from  friends,  and  all  the  joys  and  gi-iefs  which 
soldiers  feel!  Griefs,  while  hope  remained — when  shared  by  num- 
bers, almost  joys!  Togo  in  silence  and  alone,  and  {)oor  and  hoix'- 
less;  it  was  too  hard!  On  that  sad  day  how  many  hearts  were 
wrung!  I  saw  it  all,  nor  will  the  scene  be  ever  blurred  or  blotted 
from  my  view.  To  a  stern  old  officer.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cochran,* 
from  the  Green  Mountains,  who  had  met  danger  and  dffiiculty  almost 
at  every  step  from  his  youth,  and  from  whose  furrowed  visage  a  tear 
till  that  moment  had  never  fallen;  the  go(jd  Baron  said  what  could  be 
said  to  lessen  deep  distress.  'For  myself,'  said  Cochran,  '1  care  not; 
I  can  stand  it;  but  my  wife  and  daughters  are  in  tlie  garret  of  that 
wretched  tavern.  1  know  not  where  t(»  remove,  nor  have  I  means  f  >r 
their  renioval!'  'Come,  my  friend,'  said  the  Baron,  'let  us  go;  1  will 
pay  my  respects  to  Mrs.  Cochran  and  your  daughters,  if  you  please.' 
1  followed  to  the  loft,  and  when  the  Baron  left  the  poor  unhappy  cast- 
aways, he  left  hope  witli  them,  and  all  he  had  to  give!  A  black  man, 
with  wounds  unhealed,  wept  on  the  wharf;  thei'e  was  a  vessel  in  the 
stream  b<nind  to  the  place  where  he  once  had  friends.  He  had  not  a 
dollar  to  pay  his  passage,  and  without  it  the  vessel  would  not  take 
him.  Unused  to  tears,  I  saw  them  trickle  down  the  good  Baron's 
cheeks  as  he  put  into  the  hands  of  the  black  man  the  last  dollar  he 
possessed.  The  negro  hailed  the  sloop,  and  as  he  passed  from  the 
small  boat  on  board,  'God  Almighty  bless  you,  master  Baron!'  float- 
ed from  his  grateful  lips  across  the  parting  waters." 

Amid  these  tragic  scenes,  the  scanty  record  of  which  is  so  touch- 
ing, the  army  of  the  Revolution  [)assed  away  from  the  precinct  of 
Newburgh,  and  the  new  era  of  national  independence  was  ushered  in. 
The  poverty  of  the  departing  soldiers  scarcely  exceeded  that  of  its 
people;  money  they  had  in  abundance,  but  it  was  almost  worthless; 
lands  they  had,  but  not  the  means  for  their  successful  cultivation; 
business,  they  had  none — they  were  very  poor;  so  poor  indeed  that  in 
1785,  they  petitioned  the  legislature  for  relief,  reciting  in  their  me- 
morial: "That  by  reascni  of  the  necessary  supplies  which  we  have 
afforded  for  the  support  of  the  late  war,  as  likewise  from  the  depre- 
ciation of  paper  currency,  and  the  unavoidable  losses  incident  to  the 
said  war,  added  to  the  large  quantity  of  personal  service,  which 
rendered  it  impossible  for  us  to  cultivate  our  farms  as  usual,  we  are 
become  so  impoverished  that  we  are  unable  to  pay  our  just  debts, 
and,  through  the  scarcity  of  specie,  we  are  unable  upon  the  credit  of 


*  Robert  Cochran,  of  Cumberland  county  (now  in  "Vermont),  was  commissioned  Major 
of  3d  N.  Y.  Battalion,  Nov.  21,  1776;  Lieut.  Col.  of  '2d  N.  Y.,  July  1st.  1780. 


158  lilSTOEY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

our  lands  to  liire  money  for  the  purpose  aforesaid;  the  frequent  and 
many  hiw  suits  injustice's  and  other  courts,  the  enormous  costs  that 
accrues  on  small  debts,  issuing  executions,  taking  eifects  and  selling 
the  same  for  not  near  the  value,  oppresses  and  reduces  many  poor 
families  to  the  want  t)f  the  necessaries  of  life,  that  nothing  remains 
to  us  in  prospect  but  unavoidable  ruin,  unless  we  are  relieved  by  the 
wisdom  of  the  legislature."*  But  though  poor,  it  had  a  vigorous  pop- 
ulation, which  had  been  increased  in  number  by  refugees  from  New 
York,  who  had  been  compelled  to  remove  from  that  city  on  its  occu- 
pation by  the  British  forces  in  1776,  and  whose  property  there  had 
been  confiscated  by  the  officers  of  the  crown.  Among  these  persons, 
Adolph  DeGrove,  Derick  Amerman,  Daniel  Niven,  and  others,  became 
permanent  residents  after  the  peace. f  Besides  these  refugees,  quite 
a  large  number  of  persons  who  had  been  in  the  army,  took  up  their 
residence  in  it,  among  whom  were  Major  Joseph  Pettingale,  Majoj;_ 
Phineas  Bowman,  Major  Levi  Dodge,  and  others,  who  engaged  in  com- 
mercial and  business  enterprises.  Up  to  the  connnencement  of  the 
war.  New  Windsor  (through  the  Ellison's)  had  mainly  absorbed  the 
commercial  business  of  the  district,  but  the  shipment  of  stores  to  the 
army  demonstrated  that  Newburgh  possessed  much  greater  natural 
advantages  for  commerce,  besides  being  nearer  the  center  of  popula- 
lation.  The  opportunities  for  occupation  and  the  facilities  for  devel- 
opment were  also  greatly  in  favor  of  Newburgh,  having  been  much 
enlarged  during  the  war.  The  old  "  Town  of  Newburgh  Plot,"  which 
had  been  opened  by  the  Coldens  in  1743,  was  of  limited  extent,  and 
without  easy  access  to  the  river,  a  fault  which  had  compelled  Alex- 
ander Golden  to  buy  the  south-east  corner  of  the  Kockerthal  farm 
through  which  to  sweep  a  winding  road  to  his  wharf  at  the  foot  of 
First  street,  and  which  had  also  compelled  the  officers  of  the  conti- 
nental army  to  push  the  public  or  continental  wharf,  which  they  were 
obliged  to  establish,  as  far  north  as  Third  street,  where  a  considerable 
village  of  hotels,  barracks  and  other  buildings  for  army  use,  was 
established,  for  the  accommodation  of  which  Mr,  Benjamin  Smith,  in 
1782,  laid  out  in  streets  and  lots,  that  portion  of  his  (the  Kockerthal) 
farm  lying  east  of  Montgomery  street,  between  South  and  First 
streets.     This  plot,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of  "The  Township  of 


*  This  petition  is  dated  Feb.  19th,  1785,  and  is  one  of  two  petitions  from  the  precinct 
"of  one  tenor  and  date."  It  is  signed  bj'  sixtv-eight  persons.  It  was  this,  and  similar 
petitions  from  other  places,  that  gave  rise  to  the  law  of  April  18,  1786,  entitled  "An  Act 
for  emitting  the  sum  of  Two  Hundred  Thousand  Pounds  in  Bills  of  Credit,"  under  which 
individuals  were  enabled  to  obtain  the  bills  which  were  issued  by  mortgage  on  real  estate. 
By  this  measure  universal  individual  bankruptcy  was  avoided,  and  the  people  enabled  to 
resume  their  long-suspendeil  business  avocations.    The  law  expired  in  1806. 

t  The  Clinton  papers,  in  the  State  Library,  contain  the  petitions  of  these  and  other  refu- 
gees, asking  for  the  restoration  of  their  confiscated  lands.  Under  the  treaty  of  peace, 
however,  restoration  was  not  possible. 


TOWNSHIP   PLOTS. 


159 


Washing'ton,"  embraced  seventy-two  lots,  and  Montg-omery,  Smith, 
and  Water,  and  First,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  and  Fifth  streets  from 
Montgomery  street  to  the  river.*  These  hits  were  rapidly  taken  up, 
as  well  as  adjoining  plots  on  the  Glebe  and  in  the  township  of  New- 
burgh;  and  irom  the  position  of  the  lowest,  in  1780,  tlie  precinfit 
passed  to  the  fourth,  in  1790,  and,  in  a  quarter  of  a  century,  to  the 
first  in  rank  of  population. 

I  Si  3  4  5  S 


TOWNSHIP   OF   WASHINGTON. 

Streets  designated  by  letters  and  figures.     C — Colden's  Dock.     L — Contiueutal  Dock. 

But  for  some  years  the  village  was  a  disjointed  settlement.  The 
three  township  plots  of  which  it  was  composed,  had  no  connection 
except  throug-h  Liberty  street  and  a  few  "cross-lot"  roads.  In  1790, 
however,  the  streets  which  had  been  dedicated  in  the  plots  were  con- 
nected and  opened  by  the  road  commissioners  of  the  town,  under  a 
general  act  of  the  legislature,  and  an  order  entered  establishing  "  a 
street  called  Wagon  street,  running  from  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Lot  31, 
on  Western  Avenue,  easterly  on  that  avenue  to  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Lot 
16;  thence  N.  E.  to  the  N.  W.  corner  of  Lot  9,  in  the  Newburgh  town- 
ship;! thence  easterly  until  it  intersects  Water  street  in  the  township 
of  Washington.     Also,  a  road  beginning  at  tlie  S.  E.  corner  of  High 


*  The  names  of  owners  of  lots  entered  on  the  first  map  of  this  plot  arc:  John  Anderson 
No.'s  1  and  6;  James  Denton,  No.  2:  Mr.  Menge,  No."s  3  and  13;  E.  C.  Lutherloh,  No.'s 
i,  10,  11,  23,  24  a!id  35;  Jacob  Eeader,  No.  5;  A.  Fairchild,  No.'s  7  and  20;  Hugh  Walsh 
No.'s  8,  21  and  36;  Wm.  Forbes,  No.'s  9  and  22;  Mr.  Crosby,  No.  12;  Wm.  Qnackenbush 
No.'s  14  and  15;  S.  Clark,  No.  16;  B.  Palmer,  No.  17;  Wm.  Thurston,  No.   18;  Adolph  De 
Grove,  No.  19.     The  remaining  lots  were  held  by  Mr.  Smith,  and  the  streets  conveyed 
by  him  to  the  public  by  deed.     This  deed  and  the  map  of  the  plot  are  still  preserved, 

t  Old  town  of  Newburgh  Plot.  See  ante  page  33.  The  peculiar  angles  in  all  of  our 
principal  streets  arose  from  this  fact:  Golden  and  his  associates  in  laying  out  the  Old 
Town  of  Newburgh  Plot,  commenced  their  streets  on  the  natural  plateaus.  The  Trustees 
of  the  Glebe  laid  out  their  streets  parallel  with  the  river.  When  Smith  came  to  open  his 
land,  Water  street  was  placed  nearer  the  river  and  a  corresponding  division  carried  back 
in  Smith  and  Montgomery  streets.  W^hen  the  road  commissioners  took  the  duty  in  hand 
of  joining  together  the  streets  thus  decUcated  in  the  three  distinct  original  divisions  of 
the  present  city,  an  angle  was  formed  in  Water  street  at  the  junction  with  Wagon  (now 
north  end  of  Golden),  and  with  South  street;  and  also  at  the  junction  of  High  and  Smith 
streets  and  of  Montgomery  and  Hasbrouck  streets.  The  angli^  is  necessarily  followed  in 
Grand  street,  and  mars  Chambers  and  other  streets  more  recently  opened.  The  citizens 
of  Newburgh  thus  have  a  perpetual  memorial  of  the  "  Township  of  Newburgh,"  the 
"  Township  of  Washington  "  and  of  the  "  Glebe." 


!(;()  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


strcot  iind  rmiiiinp:  N.  E.  alone:  that  strcM't  to  the  N.  W.  coiiu'r  of  liot 
1!),  ill  tlic  towiisliip  of  Ncwburj^'li;  tlicnco  N.  E.  to  Eirst  street  in  the 
to\vii.siii|)  of  \Vashiii,i;-toii;  tiienee  across  said  street  iiitersectiiit;- Smith 
stret>t,  and  theiiee  northerly  to  South  street.  Also,  a  street  called 
Montgomery  street  in  the  township  of  Washing-ton,  beginning  at  the 
S.  E.  corner  of  a  lot  given  by  Benjamin  Smith  for  the  nse  of  tiie  Pres- 
byterian congrt'gation,  and  thence  northerly  to  South  street."  Also, 
roads  called  Eirst,  Second,  Third,  Eourth,  and  Eifth  streets.  Also, 
a  road  beginning  in  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Lot  1,  in  the  township  of 
Washington,  and  running  southerly  across  the  lands  of  the  heirs  of 
Richard  Nicolls  Colden  in  a  direct  course  to  the  end  of  Water  street 
in  the  townshij)  of  Newburgh,  between  L(»ts  1  and  9. 

This  order,  it  will  be  seen,  opened  Water  street  from  South  street 
to  Western  avenue;  Ct)lden  or  Wagon  street  from  Water  street  to 
Western  Avenue;  High  street;  Smith  street;  Montgomery  street;  and 
Eirst,  Second,  Third,  Eourth  and  Eifth  streets,  the  latter  from  the 
river  to  Montgomery  street.  Wagon  street  intersected  the  "Wall- 
kill  road,"  as  it  was  called,  '['he  streets  on  the  Glebe,  were,  in  tlie 
main,  easily  connected.  South  street,  the  dividing  line,  originally 
laid  out  directly  west  to  the  west  bonnds  of  tli(»  patent,  was  first 
opened  from  iiiberty  street  to  tlie  river;  west  of  Liberty  street  its 
course  was  subsequently  changed*  and  what  is  (lidney  avenue  tornied. 
North  street  was  also  o[)ened  from  Liberty  street  to  the  river.  Such, 
with  the  addition  of  Liberty  stre(>t,  already  noticed,  wer(>  the  opened 
streets  of  the  present  city  of  Newburgh,  in  1791. 

The  precinct  of  Newburgh  continued  to  be  recognized  by  that  name 
until  17H8,  when,  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  "  for  dividing  the  Coun- 
ties of  the  State  into  Towns,"  passed  March  7th  of  that  year,  the  title 
of  "precinct"  gave  place  to  that  of  "town.""f"  The  boundaries,  liow- 
I'vi'r,  remained  unchanged,  and  as  they  at  present  exist. 

The  history  of  the  Glelx'  has  Ihmmi  .brought  down  to  the  ]>eriod  of 
the  Revolution.  The  Rev.  John  Sayer,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Watkins, 
resigned  the  charge  in  1775,  and  during  the  war  the  church  had  no 
minister.  The  school,  however,  was  continued  by  Mr.  John  Nathan 
Ilutchins,!  who,  in  addition  to  his  duties  as  teacher,  read  prayers  in 
the  old  church   on   the    Sabbath.      On    the   death    of  Mr.   Hutchins,  in 


*  MinuteB  of  Trustees  of  Glebe,  Sep.  22,  1791.  "Whereas,  there  is  a  vaeancv  of  tdght 
rods  left  OH  the  south  side  of  the  Minister's  lot  for  a  street,  which,  runninp;  throufrh  wet 
ground  and  over  a  high  hill,  is  inipraetieahle— agreed,  to  enclose  said  road,  and  allow  a 
road  of  four  rods  widi^  to  run  through  the  lot  from  opposite  Martin  VVeigand's  to  the 
northward  of  a  piece  of  swamp  land  adjoining  said  high  hills." 

t  Ante  p.  39 

X  The  fact  here  stated  is  from  a  MSS.  found  among  the  papers  of  Isaac  Belknap.  The 
paper  recites,  that  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  money  and  other  difficulties  in  collecting  the 
Glebe  rents,  Mr.  Hutchins'  salary  had  not  been  "fully  paid,  there  being  due  him  at  the 
time  of  his  death  the  sum  of  eighty-two  pounds  one  shilling  and  sixpence. 


GLEBE  DIFFICULTIES.  161 


1782,  Mr.  Ricliiird  King-  was  selected  as  teacher;  ajul  in  1790,  tlie 
Rev.  Georj^e  H.  Spierin  perforrncHl  tlie  duties  of  minister  and  sciiool- 
niaster.  Cliang^es  had  also  occurred  in  the;  trustees.  Mr.  Alexander 
Golden  died  in  1775,  and  his  place  had  been  filled  by  Isaac  Belknap; 
and  on  tlic  death  of  Mr.  Albertson,  Mr.  Henry  Smith  was  elected  his 
successor. 

It  was  (luring-  the  year  1790,  that  the  discussions  commenced  which 
subsequently  terminated  the  control  of  the  Episcopal  church  over  the 
(rlebe.  In  June,  of  that  year,  (lol.  Cadwallader  Colden,  was  elected 
trustee,*  to  till  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  of  Henry  Smith; 
and  almost  immediately  after  his  electi(.)n,  those  opposed  to  the  church 
raised  the  question  of  his  eligibility,  lie  being  a  non-resident  although 
a  freeholder  on  tlu;  patent.  To  mecit  the  difficulty,  Colden  proposed 
an  ameiiilnient  of  the  charter  so  as  to  permit  the  election  as  trustees 
of  persons  residing  within  twelve  miles  of  the  patent  who  were  free- 
holders thereon;  and  the  trustees  adopted  a  petition  to  the  legislature 
to  that  effect. 

The  (opponents  of  the  church  inniiediately  drew  up  a  counter  pcitition, 
asking  the  legislature  "that  no  act  relative  to  the  premises  be  passed 
until  the  collected  sense  oi'  tlie  parish  be  taken."  This  petition,  or 
remonstrance,  was  very  numerously  signed;  and  Icil  to  the  calling  of 
a  meeting,  by  the  trustees,  to  take  the  whole  subject  into  considera- 
tion. The  cull  was  issued  on  the  7th,  and  the  meeting-  held  on  the 
lOtli  oi'  F('l)ruary,  at  tiie  liouse  of  Martin  Weigand,  at  2  o'clock  P.  M. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  patent,  regarding  the  affair  as  an  att(unpt  on 
the  ])art  of  tlie  ( Imrcii  to  divert  the  revenues  of  the  Glebe  from  the 
support  of  a  school,  to  which  I  hey  had  been  wholly  applied  since 
1775,  w(;re  thoroughly  aroused  and  attended  the  meeting  in  large 
numbers.  After  a  turliiilent  discussion  of  considerable  length,  the 
propositi(jn  to  amend  the  charter  was  rejected,  f 

The  result  of  this  meeting  led  to,  in  May  following,  the  resignation 
(;f- Colden  as  trustee,  and  of  Spierin  as  school-master.  |  Colden's  re- 
signaticm  was  accepted;  and,  (m  the  16th  May,  Isaac  Hasbrouck  was 


*  June  4,  1790.  Col.  Cadwallader  Colden  fleeted  trustx^e.  Thirty-six  votes  were  cast, 
thirty  of  which  were  for  Colden,  and  six  for  Isaac  Hasbrouck. — Minutes. 

t  Feb.  10,  1791.  A  motion  was  then  made  and  seconded,  whether  there  shall  he  an  al- 
teration of  the  charter  or  not.  After  sonic  debate  upon  the  question,  it  was  agreed  that 
the  sense  of  the  people  shoiild  be  taken  by  ballot,  and  was  carried  in  favor  of  those  against 
the  alteration  by  a  majority  of  ihirty-Unir.—MinulfS. 

i  May  3,  1791.  The  Trustees  met  at  the  house  of  Martin  Weigand,  and  being  opened, 
Col.  Colden  observed  that  upon  consideration  of  the  difhculties  that  seemed  to  attend  the 
trusteeship  since  he  was  elected,  and  in  all  probability  were  likely  to  be  continued,  it  ap- 
peared that  the  inhabitants  of  said  patent  were  very  much  divided ;  and  therefore  con- 
cluded that  it  might  tend  to  restore  peace  and  harmony  among  them,  and  so  be  for  the 
public  good  of  the  parish,  for  him  to  resign  his  office  as  trustee;  and  accordingly  he  de- 
livered his  resignation.  The  Kev.  Mr.  Spierin  jjroposed  not  to  have  anything  to  do  with 
the  Glebe  school  any  further,  which  the  trustees  agreed  to.  Agreed,  also,  by  said  trus- 
tees, that  the  income  of  the  Glebe  lands  be  equally  divided  between  Mr.  Spierin  and  the 
school-master. — Minutes. 

on 


162  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

elocted  his  isucrcssor,  liaving-  received  fifty-one  votes  and  William 
Seymour  sixteen.  The  resig-nation  of  Spierin  produced  no  other 
action  than  a  resolution  to  divide  the  income  of  the  Glebe  equally  as 
compensation  for  the  duties  of  minister  and  school-master  respective- 
ly, until  the  28th  of  May,  when  the  trustees  conferred  with  Spierin 
on  the  subject,  and  obtained  his  consent  to  be  inducted.* 

Mr.  Spierin  continued  to  serve  as  minister  and  school-master  until 
1793  or  '94.  Meanwhile  the  subject  of  the  disposal  of  the  revenues 
of  the  Glebe  was  more  or  less  discussed.  The  membership  of  the 
Episcopal  church  had  dwindled  away  until  very  few  of  that  denomi- 
nation remained;  and  the  inhabitants  belong-ing  to  other  churches, 
as  well  as  those  who  were  opposed  on  principle  to  even  an  inferential 
association  of  the  church  with  the  conduct  of  the  public  schools, 
renewed  their  eflbrts  to  get  the  revenues  exclusively  applied  to  the 
support  of  a  school-master.  The  old  trustees  insisted  upon  maintain- 
ing their  agreement  with  Mr.  Spierin;  and,  having  no  other  alterna- 
tive, the  people  held  a  meeting  and  elected  William  Seymour  and 
Phineas  Ih)well  trustees,  and  voted  that  the  Glebe  rents  should  be 
paid  to  them.  This  action  led  to  a  compromise,  in  virtue  of  which 
both  the  old  and  the  new  trustees  resigned  their  places,  and  Timothy 
Hudson  and  Phineas  Howell  were  chosen  their  successors."!" 

In  this  way  the  revenues  of  the  Glebe  passed  from  the  control  of 
the  Episcopal  church.  History  repeated  itself.  The  very  means — 
the  elective  franchise  conferred  on  the  inhabitants  by  the  charter — 
which  the  Episcopalians  had  employed  to  wrest  the  privileg'cs  of  the 
patent  from  the  Lutherans,  had  been  successfully  used  for  their  own 
overthrow  in  the  hour  of  similar  numerical  weakness.  The  Glebe 
now  passed  wholly  into  the  hands  of  the  people,  and  its  limited  but 
useful  system  of  free  education  was  divested  of  sectarian  control. 

The  concluding  years  of  the  century  were  marked  by  the  formal 
incorporation  of  tlie  Presbyterian  and  the  Associate  Reformed  churches; 
and  by  the  establishment  of  the  Mewburg-h  Academy.  An  attempt  had 
been  made  to  organize  the  latter  institution  in  1791,  and  for  that  pur- 
pose authority  was  asked  from  the  legislature  to  establish  a  lottery 
— a  mode  of  raising  money  for  such  j)urposes  very  common  at  that 
time.  This  petition  failed,  and  during  the  pendency  of  the  difficulties 
in  regard  to  the  Glebe,  little  was  doiuj.  In  1795,  however,  the  project 
was  again  taken  in  hand  by  the  truste<\s  of  the  Glebe,  and  the  present 
Academy  building  was  erected. 

Meanwhile  the  progress  of  the  town  had  not  been  confined  to  the 
German  patent.     As  lands  were  cleared  and  planted,  grist  and  saw 

*  Minutes,  Mav  28,  1791. 

t  Minutes,  Sept.  22,  Oct.  13  and  27, 1794. 


TOWN  SETTLEMENTS.  If 53 

mills  were  erected,  and  the  ancient  forests,  "  through  which  one  could 
not  see  the  sunshine,"  were  filled  with  the  hum  of  industry.     The  first 
mill,  by  autlienticated  records,  was  erected  by  Alexander  Colden  about 
1743;  was  subsequently  known  as  Hasbrouck's,  and  more  recently  as 
Dickson's  mill.     The  second  was  erected  by  Abel  Belknap,  situated 
west  of  the  present  New  Mills,  and  known  subsequently  as  Niven's 
mill.     From  thence  west  on  the  Quassaick,  in  successive  order,  were 
Foster's  saw  mill,  Gardner's  grist  mill,  Gardner's  saw  mill,  Belknap's 
saw  mill,  and  Burr's  grist  mill,  the  latter  occupying  the  site  and  privi- 
lege of  a  mill  erected  by  Ca})tain  Thomas  Machin  in  1786-'87,  for  the 
coinage  of  copper.     On  the  Tent  Stone  Meadow  creek.  Penny's  grist 
mill,  Hartshorn's  mill.  Penny's  saw  mill,  and  Hasbrouck's  saw  mill, 
were  early  erections,  as  were  also  Dentfm's  saw  mill  and  Smith's  saw 
mill  on  the  Fostertown  creek.     On  Denton's  (now  Powelton)  brook, 
Nehemiah  Denton  established  a  grist  mill  and  a  store  and  a  landing 
on   the   Huds(jn;  further   north,   William   Bloomer  had   a   blacksmith 
shop,  and  Michael  Demott  a  hotel,  and,  with  the  neighboring  farmers, 
made,  prior  to  the  Revolution,  a  village  at  Balmville  nearly  if  not  fully 
as  large  as  that  on  the  GU-Ah'.     Daniel  Smith  went  there  subserpiently 
and  built  a  store  and  a'wharf  from  which  he  sailed  a  sloop  to  X(!w 
York;  while  on  Jew's  or  Acker's  creek,  in    the   extreme   north-east 
part   of   the    town,    were    Tooker's    mill    and    Acker's    mill.      In  the 
vicinity  (jf  all   these   mills    wen;   handets — in   most  cases    a   smith's 
shop,  and  occasionally  a  "store;"  of  g(M.(ls  of  ;ill   kinds   "for  cash  or 
barter,"  but  principally  the  latter  for  ol'  the  former  there  was  little  in 
circulation.     Besides  in  mills  and  hamlets  a  hujidred  years  of  pioneer 
labor  exhibited  its  results  in  many  well-cultivated  farms,  and  in  snl)- 
stantial  dwellings  which  had  supplanted  rude  log  cabins.     'J'he  lum- 
ber business  ol"  tlic  t(»wii  was  especially  heavy,  and  large  quantities 
of  ship  tiiiilxT,  planks  and  staves  were  forwarded  to  market.     The 
public  landing  which  the  trustees  of  Glebe  had  established  at  the  foot 
of  North  street,  was  almost  entirely  devoted  to  the  shipment  of  lum- 
ber, and  vessels  were  loading  and  rafts  forming  there   almost   con- 
stantly.    Ship-building  was  also  carried  on  to  a  ccmsiderable   extent 
at  different  points,  by  William  Seymour  and  others;  and  Newburgh 
ships  entered  into  the  Liverpool  trade,  and  her  smaller  vessels  en- 
gaged in  coasting  and  in  trade  with  the  West  India  islands.     A  more 
thriving  town  was  not  found  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  nor  one  in 
which  the  industry  of  the  people  had  more  substantial  reward. 

In  1797,  the  village  had  attained  to  such  size  that  it  was  found 
necessary  to  establish  a  Fire  Department;  and  for  this  purpose  a  law 
was  passed  by  the  legislature  defining  the  fire  limits"  of  the  village, 
and  directing  the  election  of  five  trustees,  "  to  be  called  the  Trustees 


1(54  HISTOBY  OF  NEWBUROn. 

of  tilt'  Fire  Company  in  the  Village  of  Newbnrgh."  The  tire  limits 
defined  by  this  act  included  that  portion  of  the  town  lying  south  of 
an  east  and  west  line  running  six  rods  north  of  the  Academy;  and 
the  district  thus  defined  was  "to  be  called  the  village  of  Newburgh," 
the  freeholders  in  which  were  empowered  to  elect  annually  not  less 
than  three  nor  more  than  five  trustees,  who  should  have  the  appoint- 
ment of  firemen  and  the  control  and  management  of  a  fire  depart- 
ment.*    This  was  the  first  crude  form  of  village  authority. 

In  September,  1797,  the  publication  of  The  Mirror — the  second 
newspaper  published  in  Newl)urgh— was  commenced  by  Philip  Van 
Home,  and,  in  1799,  passed  into  tlie  hands  of  Joseph  W.  Barber. 
In  1798,  The  New  Windsor  Gazette  was  published  at  New  Windsor 
by  Jacob  Schultz,  but  was  soon  after  removed  to  Newburgh  and 
called  The  Orange  County  Gazette.  This  paper  was  subsequently 
sold  to  David  Denniston,  the  name  being  changed  to  The  Citizen.  It 
was  afterwards  merged  in  The  Right.-i  of  Man,f  a  paper  established 
Ijy  Elias  VVinfield,  for  whom  it  was  printed  by  Benoni  H.  Howell. 
The  Mirror  gave  place  to  The  Recorder  of  the  Timen,  and  the  latter 
to  The  Political  Index.  i 

These  papei's  are  mentioned  in  their  order,  for  the  purpose  of  intro- 
ducing the  facts  in  the  religious  history  of  the  town  which  led  to 
their  publication.  As  the  Revolution  had  severed  the  old  connection 
between  church  and  state,  the  people  of  America  were  naturally  led 
to  consider  what  should  l)e  the  future  political  relation  of  the  church. 
These  discussions  finally  subsided  on  the  adoption  of  the  federal  con- 
stitution, as  that  instrument  expressly  declared  that  congress  should 
"make  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of  religic^n,  or  prohibiting 
the  fi-ee  exercise  thereof."  But  besides  these  debates,  there  were 
other  and  mightier  agencies  operating  in  the  direction  of  scepticism. 
Voltaire  and  his  friends  had  already  begun  the  work  of  unsettling 
the  religious  faith  of  Europe;  they  shook,  as  it  were,  the  very  pillars 


*  The  third  section  of  this  act  reads  as  follows:  "  The  said  trustees,  to  be  chosen  as 
aforesaid,  or  a  major  part  of  them,  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  nominate  and 
appoint  a  sufficient  number  of  firemen  (wiUincr  to  accept),  not  exceeding  twenty  to  every 
fire  engine  nf)W  provided,  or  lierenftcr  to  be  i)rovided,  for  the  use  of  the  said  village,  out 
of  the  inhabitants  being  freeholders  or  persons  renting  property  to  the  value  of  one 
hundred  dollars  per  annum,  to  have  the  care,  management,  working  and  using  the  said 
fire  engines,  and  other  tools  and  instrnnients  now  or  hereafter  to  be  provided  for  the  ex- 
tinguishment of  fires  within  the  said  village,  which  persons  so  to  be  nominated  and 
appointed  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  calli^d  the  firemen  of  the  village  of  Newburgh,  who  are 
hereby  required  to  be  ready  at  all  fires,  as  well  by  night  as  by  day,  to  manage,  use  and 
work  the  other  tools  and  instruments  aforesaid." 

By  other  sections  of  the  act,  firemen  were  exempted  from  service  as  constables  or  as 
jurors  of  inquest;  and  the  trustees  had  power  to  remove  fin^men  for  cause,  to  make  all 
necessary  rules  and  regulations,  and,  in  case  of  fire,  to  command  the  assistance  of  all 
"  able-bodied  inhabitants  in  said  village  ''  to  extinguish  the  same.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
village  were  also  required  to  furnish  their  houses  with  suitable  fire-buckets. 

t  In  the  Autobiography  of  Rev.  Doct.  Johnston,  a  paper  under  the  title  of  The  Temple 
of  Benson  is  mentioned." — (p.  94).  The  paper  referred  to  was  probably  The  Rights  of 
Man,  which  was  the  only  infidel  paper  pubhshed  at  that  time. 


INFIDELITY.  166 


of  the  church,  and  desolated  Prance  witli  the  terrible  revolution  of  '98. 
The  doctrines  taught  by  Voltaire  and  Paine  were  accepted  by  many 
prominent  and  able  inen  in  the  United  States;  but  at  no  place  did 
these  anti-religious  sentiments  prevail  to  a  greater  extent  than  in 
Newburgh.  The  Citizen  first,  and  subsequent!}'  The  Rights  of  Man, 
hoisted  the  infidel  flag;  there  was  a  regularly  organized  society  of 
infidels,  and  a  blind  man,  by  the  name  of  Elihu  Palmer,*  was  induced 
to  visit  the  village  weekly  and  deliver  lectures  at  the  Academy  in 
opposition  to  the  Bible.  Besides  the  above  named  newspapers,  Paine's 
"  Age  of  Reason,"  Tyndal's  "  Christianity  as  Old  as  the  Creation,"  and 
works  of  a  similar  character,  were  re-publisiied  under  the  auspices  of 
the  society  and  circulated  with  all  diligence. 

"  That  there  was  infidelity,  and  organized  infidelity,"  says  Doct. 
Johnston, f  "I  have  no  reason  to  doubt.  Nay,  1  have  my  information 
from  one  who  was  a  member  of  what  was  styled  "  The  Druid  Society." 
It  was  one  of  the  branches  of  the  "  llluminati  Society,"  at  the  head 
of  which  was  Weishaupt,  of  Gernuiny,  the  leading  object  of  which, 
according  to  his  representations,  was,  destruction  to  all  organized 
governments,  '  civil  and  divine.'  Hence  the  Bible  was  the  avowed 
object  of  their  hatred,  as  well  as  all  that  pertained  to  the  church  of 
God  and  her  institutions.  I  have  a  number  of  facts,  dates  and  par- 
ticulars on  this  subject,  which  would  help  posterity  to  know  more  of 
the  sad  efiects  of  infidelity  in  Newburgh,  the  latter  end  of  the  last 
and  the  commencement  of  this  century,  than  is  generally  known  at 
present.  A  clergyman  informed  me,  that  after  preaching  here,  he  was 
attacked  in  the  evening  by  a  fierce  dog,  set  on  by  several  who  were 
reputed  members  of  the  Druid  Society.  The  place  where  the  attack 
was  made  was  near  the  large  elm  tree  on  Liberty  street.  I  presume 
many  have  heard  it  stated  (and  I  have  never  heard  it  controverted), 
that  in  the  afternoon  or  evening  of  the  day  in  which  the  ordinance  of 
the  Lord's  supper  was  dispensed  by  our  officiating  clergyman,  a  mock 
administration  was  performed  at  a  spring  |  within  the  limits  of  the 
corporation,  by  formally  presenting  to  a  little  dog  a  cracker  and  a 
small  quantity  of  water,  using  the  words  of  our  blessed  Redeemer 
when  he  instituted  the  holy  supper." 

"  It  ought  to  be  known,"  continues  Dr.  Johnston,  "  that  the  principal 
actor  in  this  impious  transaction  did  not  long  survive.     On  the  follow- 


*  The  Rev.  Elihu  Palmer  was  born  at  Norwich,  Conn.,  about  the  year  1763,  and  gradu- 
ated at  Dartmouth  College  in  1787.  He  was  early  settled  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel;  but 
he  subsequently  changed  his  faith  to  Universalism,  and  from  that  passed  over  to  Intidel- 
ity.  In  1793,  he  was  attacked  bv  Yellow  Fever  which  left  him  entirely  blind.  He  died  at 
Philadelphia  in  1805. 

t  Autobiography  of  Rev.  John  Johnstou,  D.  D.,  92,  etc. 

X  The  place  referred  to  is  said  to  have  been  a  spring  on  the  premises  lately  owned  by 
Edward  R.  Johns,  Esq.,  south  of  the  Iron-works.     It  was  destroyed  by  excavations. 


1(5G  HISTOEY  OF  NEWBUBOn. 

iiio-  Sabbath  ovoniiig-  lie  was  found  in  liis  room,  with  the  door  locked, 
apparently  in  a  iit,  convulsed  with  awful  spasms,  and  ii(>  died  witlu)ut 
being-  able  to  utter  a  word.  Whether  he  had  taktMi  anything-  with  a 
view  to  self-destruction,  oi'  whetiier  it  was  tlie  inunediate  act  of  God, 
without  Ills  voluntary  agency,  we  know  not.  This  occxirred  in  July, 
17!)!).  In  the  grave-yard  tliere  is  a  stone  with  the  following  inscrip- 
tion: "The  Tomb  of  ■ ,  who  died  July  2d,  in  the  year  of 

the  Christian  Era,  179!),  aged  34  years."  For  a  time  it  seemed  as  if 
tliese  infatuated  men  had  determined  that  tliere  should  not  remain  in 
Newburgh  and  its  vicinity   a   vestigt'  of  (Miristianity." 

Dr.  .lohiiston's  account  of  the  objects  anil  doings  of  the   inlidels  of 
Newbnrg-h,  comes  to  us  somewhat  t-olored  perhaps  by  religious  preju- 
dice;  but  the  uiain  iiu'ts  are  generally  I'oncedcd   to  have   been  as  he 
states  them.     Mr.  James  Donnelly,  a  member  for  a  short  time  of  "The 
Druids,"  and   iMr.    dact»b   Schultz,   the  editor  of   the   tirst  anti-infidel 
paper,  the  last  living  witnesses  of  Ihi'  events  referred  tt),  agreed,  that 
the  accounts  given  by  Dr.  Jt)hnston  and  by  Abner  Cunningham*  were 
exaggerated,  especially  in  reference  to  the   deaths  of  several  of  the 
participants  in  the  sccMies  di'scribed.     Mr.    Donnelly  stated   that  the 
Druids    "  first  organi/Aul  as  a  debating  society,  and  were  composed 
of  the  best  men  in  the  place.     Many  of  the  members  became  inlidels 
after  tlu-y  had  joined  the  society,  and  then   changed  the  asst)ciation 
into  an  infidel  club,''  when  a  good  numy  withdrew,  including  himself. 
He  regarded  it  as  "  a  great  mistake  to  assert  that  all  the  members 
w*n'e  bad  men  and  came  to  violent  deaths."     Mr.  Schultz  stated  that 
Dr.  riiineas  Hedges,  whose  sudden  death  Dr.  Johnston  refers  to,  "it 
was  always  understoiul,  died  in  a  tit   brought  on   by  nervous   excite- 
ment.    The   circumstances    were  these:  1  printed   an   article  in  my 
Gazette  in  which  Dr.  Hedges  and  the  infidels  were  handled  severel3^ 
The  Dr.  was  verv   much  excited  over  it,  and   came  down   to  New 
Windsor  to  ask  the  privilege  of  a  reply.     I  told  him  that  I  must  see 
his  reply  before  I  would  agree  to  print  it;  but  that  if  it  was  couched 
in  prt)per  terms,  he  might  expect  its  publication.     The   next  I  heard 
was  that  the   Dr.  had  died  in  a  fit.     Some  of  the  ardent  anti-infidels 
said  it  was  a  visitation  of  God;  but  this  was  not  generally  believed.f 


*  "  Fate  of  Infidelity,"  by  Abnor  Cuuniugham,  in  \vliich  the  author  professes  to  reveal 
the  fate  of  several  of  the  leadiner  Newlnirf^h  infidels.  The  files  of  the  village  papers 
show  that  the  statements  whioh  he  makes  are  ineorrect  in  many  instances.  "  D.  D.'' 
says  Cunningham,  referring  to  David  Denniston,  "  a  printer,  three  days  after,  fell  in  a  tit, 
and  died  iiumediately."  This  is  not  true,  for  Denniston  edited  The  Jiujhis  of  Man  after 
this,  and  was  subsequently  eonneeted  with  the  A))ien'can  Citizen  n»d  Wa'tcli  Toire)-,  a 
paper  jirinted  in  New  York.  He  died  Dee.  13, 1803,  of  a  malignant  fever.  He  was  a  man 
of  considerable  ability. 

t  The  Mii-ror,  of  July  9th,  thns  speaks  of  Dr.  Hedges:  "In  justice  to  his  memory,  it 
ought  to  be  observed,  that  he  was  a  man  possessed  of  a  strong  mind,  and  this  mind 
highly  imjiroved  and  cultivated  by  the  pi-iuciples  of  general  science  and  the  knowledge  of 
the  philosophj'  of  nature." 


RECOLLECTIONS.  167 


The  discussions  of  that  poriod  will  always  be  remetnbered  by  me;  and 
after  a  lapse  of  sixty  years  I  have  come  to  reg-ard  tlie  acts  of  my 
contemporaries  in  a  soft(,'r  light  than  that  in  which  I  then  looked 
upon  them," 

Whih'  tliese  corrections  are  due  to  tlic  memory  (jf  the  dead,  the 
files  of  Thr,  Ru/hts  of  Man  and  of  Th^'■  Recorder  of  th'.  Timns — the 
first  the  advocate,  and  the  latter  the  opponent  of  the  doctrines  taug'ht 
in  Faine's  "  Age  of  Reason  " — give  ample  evidence  of  the  violence  (jf 
the  discussion,  and  of  the  efforts  made  to  overthrow  all  religious 
worship.  According  to  a  statement  in  Thu  Recorder  if  the  Times, 
these  efforts  gradually  subsided  after  the  close  of  the  century. 

— Of  many  of  the  incidents  which  have  been  narrated  and  of  most 
of  the  men  wh(j  were  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  village  during  the 
war  of  the  Revolutittn  and  immediately  following  its  close,  the  late 
Mr.  James  Donnelly,  a  resident  from  his  birtii,  prepared  (1858)  the 
following  recollections: 

"  When  I  look  back  almost  eighty  years  and  think  of  our  village 
as  it  was  then  and  compare  it  with  tlie  present,  I  can  scarcely  realize 
the  change.  It  certainly  was  one  of  the  most  forlorn  looking  places 
that  I  ever  saw.  It  had  but  one  street — a  very  good  one  to  be  sure 
— along  which  was  scattered  a  few  old-looking  brown  houses;  and 
that  was  the  village,  for  below  the  hill  you  could  hardly  set  your  foot 
for  the  mud.  Water  street  was  not  worthy  to  be  called  a  street,  as 
it  only  extended  from  about  opposite  where  the  steam  mills  are  nearly 
to  where  the  Bank  of  Xewburgh  is.  I  have  often  seen  the  continen- 
tal wagons  pried  out  of  the  mud  with  rails  when  four  large  horses 
could  not  draw  them  out.  The  side  hill  was  covered  with  orchards 
principally.  A  strip  of  land  along  the  river,  commencing  where  the 
upper  malt  houses  stand  and  reaching  to  the  west  side  of  Water 
street  and  north  to  Major  Pettingale's,  was  called  the  Dismal  Swamp. 
It  was  a  deep  swamp,  covered  with  a  dense  thicket  of  black  alders 
and  alive  with  pilots  (snakes).  No  one  thought  of  going  there, 
except  in  the  winter  when  the  boys  sometimes  caught  rabbits  there, 
and  they  were  plenty. 

"  On  the  hill  were  the  old  church,  the  parsonage  and  the  school- 
house;  Martin  Weigand's  hotel,  which  stood  just  opposite  Gidney 
Avenue,  and  a  few  houses  on  the  Glebe.  At  the  south  end  of  Liberty 
street  was  Hasbrouck's  house,  and  on  beyond  him  were  the  residences 
of  Henry  Smith  and  his  brother  Thomas.  Hasbrouck's  and  Smith's 
were  considered  quite  out  (jf  town. 

"I  believe  that  I  was  born  in  the  first  frame  house  that  was  built 
here,  from  facts  that  I  noticed  when  I  demolished  the  old  house, 
althcmgh  I  had  forgotten  them  for  many  years  until  you  roused  my 


168  '  mSTORT  OF  NEWBURGH. 

memory  by  your  inquiries  about  Albertson's  tavern.  Now  I  recollect 
all  about  it.  It  was  very  old  at  the  time  I  took  it  down,  but  could 
have  been  repaired  by  putting-  in  new  sills.  It  had  a  poor  foundation, 
and  bore  the  appearance  of  having  been  built  in  a  hurry.  The  rea- 
sons why  I  thiidv  it  was  the  first  frame  house,  and  built  before  there 
were  any  saw  mills  in  this  part  of  the  country  are,  that  there  was 
not  an  inch  of  sawed  stuff'  in  the  whole  house  in  its  original  state, 
that  is  before  the  kitchen,  piazza  and  window-shutters  were  added. 
One  side  of  the  frame  was  hewed  smooth  enough  to  nail  the  sidings 
on,  but  the  bark  was  left  on  in  the  garret.  The  siding  was  split  oak 
about  three  feet  long — shingles  the  same,  only  not  so  long,  and  lapped 
lengthways  like  the  siding.  The  chimney  was  flat  stone  laid  in  loam 
mortar.  It  was  completely  cemented  when  removed.  The  walls 
were  loam  and  not  a  particle  of  lime,  hair  or  bristles  in  it.  Whoever 
built  it  made  the  loam  mortar  adhere  better  than  we  do  lime  and  hair 
mortar.  It  was  the  only  frame  house  in  the  place  that  had  no  sawed 
stuff"  in  it.  It  had  beams  over-head  and  a  floor  water  tight.  The 
kitchen  was  built  by  Albertson  I  believe — at  least  I  was  told  so. 
The  piazza  and  shutters  were  made  at  the  same  time,  I  presume,  for 
they  were  the  same  style  of  workmanship.  The  piazza  was  a  smart 
affair  for  those  days — it  had  a  cornice  and  neat  posts.  I  see  by  my 
old  deeds  that  the  lots  were  designated  as  No.  6  and  18,  on  the  Glebe, 
and  were  conveyed  in  1768  by  Cad.  Colden  to  Joseph  Albertson;  and 
by  Joseph  Albertson,  cordwainer,  to  my  father,  Peter  Donnelly,*  of 
New  York,  currier,  in  1774.  It  is  over  sixty  years  since  I  took  down 
the  main  building. 

"After  Albertson  sold  to  my  father,  he  built  an  addition  to  Harry 
Bend's  house,  on  lot  No.  4,  and  kept  a  public  house  there.  Jeremiah 
Smith,  father  of  Daniel  Smith  of  Balmville,  bought  the  place  of  Albert- 
son  and  kept  a  tavern  there  sometime  after  the  war.  John  Mandeville 
afterwards  bought  it  and  built  an  addition  to  it. 

"During  the  war  the  fife  and  drum  were  lieard  almost  constantly, 
and  soldiers  were  quartered  on  us  nearly  all  the  time.  When  they 
came,  the  sergeant  would  open  the  door  and  tell  you  that  you  must 
take  in  the  soldiers,  while  the  soldiers  stood  dripping  in  the  snow  or 
rain,  anxiously  waiting  for  shelter.  My  father  frequently  gave  up  the 
whole  house  to  them;  and  when  the  out-kitchen  and  house  were  full, 
1  have  known  him  to  be  at  the  barn  until  ten  o'clock  at  night  making 
places  ffn-  them  to  sleep.  They  were  compelled  to  lie  (jn  the  floor  to 
sleep,  and  I  thought  no  more  of  walking  over  them,  than, I  now  do  of 
walking  on  a  carpet.     The  soldiers  were  generally  militia  men  called 


*  Peter  Domiclly  married  Eleanor  Magragh,  Aug  19,  1763.     He  died  iu  Nowburgh,  Nov. 
29,  1782,  aged  02  yrs.,  3  iiios.;  and  his  wife  Eleanor,  May  17,  1819,  aged  71  yrs.,  11  mos. 


RECOLLECTIONS.  .       169 


out  on  alarms.  Sometimes  they  remained  a  long  time,  but  generally 
only  a  night  or  so.  My  father  always  tried  to  make  them  comfort- 
able; he  gave  them  potatoes,  apples  and  cider.  They  never  would 
steal  from  him,  but  would  go  to  the  fences  of  the  neighbors  and  take 
rails  and  burn  them;  but  they  were  regarded  as  privileged  to  take 
such  things.  It  was  a  tight  fit  for  some  of  the  king's  Iblks  to  take  in 
American  soldiers,  but  they  had  to  do  it.  We  had  no  trouble  with 
the  soldiers  from  bad  conduct.  They  were  a  little  mischievous,  and 
to  amuse  themselves  one  would  hold  me  up  and  tell  me  to  kick  another, 
1  expect  I  kicked,  for  I  am  told  that  I  was  a  good  boy  to  mind. 
Father  would  say,  "Boys,  boys,  you  are  spoiling  that  child,"  and  then 
they  would  stop;  but  as  soon  as  his  bade  was  turned,  I  would  be 
hoisted  up  again  for  the  same  trick. 

"At  the  time  tlie  British  sailed  up  the  river  and  liurned  Kingston, 
those  tliat  had  anything  worth  preserving  hid  it  in  tlie  woods.  My 
mother  iiad  some  things  hid  away  across  King  street.  Almost  all  the 
male  porticui  of  the  population  was  oft'  to  the  defense  of  the  forts, 
and  my  father  among  tlie  numl)er.  My  mother  took  us  children  down 
cellar  to  avoid  the  shots,  two  or  three  of  which  lodged  in  the  bank 
opposite  the  house.  The  British  tired  a  good  many  shot.  I  do  not 
recollect  being  taken  down  cellar,  for  the  reason,  1  suppose,  that  1 
was  used  to  going  there,  and  there  was  nothing  unusual  in  it  to  make 
me  remember  it. 

"  I  recollect  distinctly,  however,  the  Hessian  prisoners  who  were 
brought  here  after  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne.  The  officers  wore  long 
blue  ck»aks.  They  were  in  charge  of  a  company  of  Morgan's  rifle- 
men, a  part  of  whom  were  billeted  at  my  father's  house.  The  riflemen 
were  certainly  the  wickedest  men  that  it  was  ever  my  lot  to  see  or 
hear  for  profanity.  Ask  them  their  pedigree,  and  their  reply  was, 
"My  father  was  high  Dutch  and  my  mother  Irish,"  or  "  My  father  was 
Irish  and  my  mother  Dutch."     So  it  ran  through  the  company. 

"  One  blessing  was,  that  provisions  were  plenty;  but  clothing  was 
difficult  to  obtain.  A  wool  hat  was  a  fine  affair.  I  never  went  without 
shoes;  but  I  remember  being  without  a  hat,  from  the  fact  of  hiding 
once  with  some  other  boys,  when  vv^e  saw  General  Washington  coming, 
so  as  to  burst  out  when  he  came  by  and  throw  up  otir  hats  and  hurrah 
for  him.  Those  of  us  who  had  hats  threw  them  up,  and  those  who  had 
none  threw  up  their  hands,  which  .done  just  as  well.  Every  family 
made  their  own  clothing,  but  they  could  not  make  hats  very  well. 

"The  Hard  Winter  of  1779,  made  a  very  deep  impression  on  my 
mind.  We  were  fourteen  days  without  bread.  Owing  to  the  severity 
of  the  weather,  the  mills  could  not  run  much  of  the  time,  and  when 
they  did  run  it  was  on  flour  for  the  army.     We  had  plenty  of  every- 


170  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

thing'  else,  but  missed  the  bread.  Wheat  was  so  plenty  that  the 
horses  were  fed  with  it;  but  we  could  not  get  flour.  My  father  sent 
over  the  river  to  DePeyster's  mill  and  had  a  barrel  brought  over  on 
a  hand-sled.  In  three  days  it  was  all  gone — lent  out — for  the  neigh- 
bors devoured  eaeii  other,  like  the  Kilkenny  cats.  The  destitution 
was  universal.  After  that  there  came  a  thaw,  and  we  never  wanted 
for  bread  again.  The  mills  were  poor  aflFairs.  There  were  oidy  two 
— Hasbrouck's  and  Nehemiah  Denton's;  the  latter  on  one  of  the 
streams  north  of  the  village.  For  forty  days  that  winter  the  water 
did  not  drop  irom  the  eaves.  It  snowed  almost  every  day.  We  did 
not  see  the  sun  until  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  then  it  was  only 
visible  for  a  short  time,  and  looked  as  if  it  was  wallowing  through  a 
snow  bank.  The  snow  was  even  with  the  roof  of  our  piazza.  Be- 
tween the  war  and  the  weather,  we  had  such  times  as  we  would  not 
be  likely  to  forget.* 

"  The  appearance  of  General  Washington  is  familiar  to  me.  He 
seemed  difterent  from  any  one  else.  He  was  of  a  commanding  form, 
and  calm,  majestic  countenance.  He  was  a  splendid  rider;  and  we 
boys  reverenced  him,  and  extended  a  due  share  of  respect  to  his  horse 
and  Ins  servant  Will.  Will  was  a  handsome  black,  somewhat  in 
years,  and  always  rode  a  short  distance  behind  his  master  on  a  brown 
horse.  The  General  rode  a  bay  horse.  Mrs.  Washington  was  short 
and  stout.  I  thought  she  was  homely,  and  that  she  never  could  have 
been  a  handsome  woman. 

"  General  Wayne  had  his  head-quarters  at  Mrs.  Wool's  house,  which 
was  near  my  father's,  and  I  saw  him  almost  every  day.  He  was  short 
and  heavy  set,  and  had  red  eyes.  I  remember  his  eyes  because  we 
had  a  cross  dog  that  had  red  eyes,  and  the  soldiers  said  that  he  had 
Mad  Anthony's  eyes.  They  called  the  dog  Mad  Anthony  altogether. 
Trip  was  a  tory  in  feelings,  for  he  hated  the  sight  of  a  soldier  because 
they  teazed  him. 

"  The  Life-guard  often  visited  at  my  father's  house  to  discuss  the 
events  of  the  war,  and  after  the  peace  those  who  had  been  soldiers 
used  to  gather  there  and  talk  and  tell  stories.  When  the  news  of 
peace   came,    my   mother   said,   "Peace,  blessed   peace."     "Mother, 


*  In  a  diary  kept  by  Col.  Abraham  Hasbrouck  is  the  following  entry:  "The  winter 
began  the  beginning  of  December,  1779,  and  continued  until  the  latter  end  of  March, 
1780.  A  very  deep  snow,  above  three  feet,  driven  up  in  heaps  in  many  places  six  and 
seven  feet  high,  and  so  severe  a  cold  for  most  of  the  winter  that  the  Hke  has  not  been 
known  by  the  oklest  living  in  this  country.  People  rode  with  sleighs  from  New  York  to 
Staten  Island  with  loads  of  fire-wood,  and  did  ride  from  New  York  to  Paulus  Hook  and 
Bergen,  and  also  to  Long  Island ;  and  did  ride  from  New  York  to  Albany  with  horses  and 
sleiglis  upon  Hudson's  river  ;  and  also  crossed  the  Sound  upon  the  ice  from  New  London 
to  Long  Island  with  carriages  of  burden,  which  never  has  been  done  before."  *  *  The 
snow  was  not  so  deep  as  in  the  hard  winter  of  174:0-'4:1  (of  which  Mr.  Hasbrouck  was  a 
witness),  but  much  colder  and  of  longer  continuance."  It  was  during  the  %vinter  of  1779 
that  the  terrible  sufferings  of  the  American  army  at  Valley  Forge  occurred.     (Ante  p.  142) 


RECOLLECTIONS.  171 


what  is  peace  ?"  I  asked.  I  thoug'ht  times  had  always  been  as  they 
were  then. 

"Mrs.  Wool's  liouse,  which  must  have  been  Martin  Weigahd's  old 
hotel,  was  torn  down  by  Benjamin  Darby,  who  built  part  of"  the  house 
subsequently  known  as  the  Downing  house.  Darby  was  a  tanner  and 
had  one  vat  under  an  apple  tree.  I  suppose  he  was  frightened  away 
from  here,  as  he  hacd  been  a  tory  during  the  war.  At  all  events  he 
went  away  and  left  his  wife  destitute.  My  father  took  her  to  his 
h(juse,  and  finished  and  sold  the  leatlier  for  her  that  Darbj'^  left,  and 
she  went  away  with  tlie  proceeds.  Richard  Hudson  owned  the  place 
afterwards  and  eidarged  Darby's  house.  It  was  afterwards  owned  by 
Samuel  Downing,  and  subsequently  by  Andrew  J.  Downing. 

"Martin  Weigand,  Col.  Palmer  and  Col.  Ilasbrouck  each  had  a 
wagon,  and  these  were  all  there  was  in  the  place.  A  few  persons 
had  ox-carts  in  and  about  the  village;  and  Capt.  Coleman,  up  at  the 
brook,  had  a  Nantucket  calash.  Those  who  had  horses  had  sleighs- 
but  the  usual  mode  of  traveling  was  on  horseback  and  on  foot.  I 
don't  remember  when  1  first  saw  umbrellas  used.  When  I  was  a  boy 
the  men  had  hoods  on  their  over-coats  to  wear  over  their  heads;  but 
there  was  not  much  business  then  to  call  people  out  in  the  rain. 

"  Those  who  had  beef  to  sell,  used  to  drive  it  under  an  apple  tree, 
and  kill,  dress  and  sell  it  there.  The  best  cuts  sold  for  six  coppers 
(twenty-four  coppers  to  a  shilling,)  a  pound.  These  coppers  were 
made  by  Capt.  Machin,  out  at  the  Big  Pond.  I  took  about  a  peck  of 
them  once  down  to  Schultz's  mill  and  got  two  bushels  of  flour.  I 
remember  it  because  Schultz  sat  down  on  the  floor  to  count  them,  and 
I  had  to  wait  until  he  was  done.  The  very  highest  price  for  mutton 
was  six  shillings  a  head  for  a  large  fat  sheep  of  the  old-fashioned 
breed.  Good  horses  averaged  seventy-five  and  eighty  dollars.  My 
father  bought  one  of  Hugh  Stevenson  and  paid  one  hundred  dollars 
for  it.  This  was  an  extraordinary  price,  but  it  was  an  extraordinary 
horse,  and  had  been  taken  from  the  Indians.  We  called  him  the 
Sturdy  Beggar.  This  purchase  was  during  the  war;  but  the  butcher- 
ing business  was  long  after  it. 

"  Broad  street  only  extended  about  three  hundred  feet  below  Grand. 
It  was  there  fenced  in  and  Mr.  Guthries  had  his  blacksmith  shop  in 
the  middle  of  it.  There  was  no  house  below  Grand  street,  on  the 
Glebe,  when  I  first  remember  it.  There  might  have  been  one  or  two 
before  the  war.  The  houses  that  were  standing  after  the  war  were 
poorly  built,  and  being  generally  without  foundations,  didn't  last 
long.     The  old  Ward  house  stood  in  the  hollow.*     It  must  have  been 


*  The  hollow  ran  from  west  of  Grand  street  (north  of  Clinton),  to  the  river.    It  is  now 
principally  tilled  in,  although  its  course  can  still  be  traced. 


172  HISTOBY  OF  XEWBUFtOH. 

as  old  ;i  lit>us(>  as  ours,  but  T  don't  nMn(Mnl)i'r  \vlu'tlu>r  it  had  any 
sawed  stutV  in  it  or  not.  Tho  Wards  Inid  a  i-idcr  mill  of  V(M-y  primi- 
tive construction.  The  apjiles  were  ptiunded  in  a  tron^-h  and  the 
cheese  pressed  by  [dacing'  a  heavy  l)eam  on  it.  The  elm  trei'  in  Liberty" 
street*  is  abont  my  ag*e.  1  remember  it  \\lien  it  was  a  nu-re  whij) 
and  so  slender  that  it  could  scari'cly  bear  tlu'  weii^-ht  of  the  mower's 
scythes  while  they  rested  from  their  work  in  the  meadow. 

"The  old  story  oi'  the  stdzure  of  the  Talatint'  churcii,  and  the  earry- 
inu"  olV  o\'  the  bell,  1  liav(>  heart!  repeated  a  o'ood  many  times  vears 
aji'o.  It  was  always  said  that  it  was  Buro'er  Mevnders  that  was 
buried  undei-  the  falling;'  dooi-  during"  the  frai-as.  The  (dd  ludl  was 
the  smartest  little  bidl  that  1  t'ver  lii>ard.  You  could  hear  it  ring- clear 
down  to  .Murderer's  cre(>k.  Burger  Meynders  owned  tiie  head-quar- 
ters property,  and  1  always  understood  that  he  iuiilt  the  ohlest  part 
of  the  house.  The  ohl  Lutheran  church  was  usetl  as  a  cooper's  shop 
by  M(U'gan  Cole  before  it  was  fitted  up  for  a  school-house.  Once 
during  th(>  war  the  s(ddii>rs  stabled  their  horses  in  it.  Aftt>r  the  war, 
Martin  Weigand,  who  had  a  deep  reg'ard  for  the  old  church,  j)roposed 
to  havi>  it  rt^paired.  The  project  was  ag'reed  to  by  others,  and  a  bee 
was  held  and  the  repairs  made,  .\fter  that  the  Methodists  and 
[ireachers  ol'  otlu-r  denonuiuitions  held  servit'e  theri\  The  school- 
master's house  was  taken  down,  and  Mr.  Mandeville  made  a  black- 
snuth's  simp  (Uit  of  part  of  the  frame. 

"Tiie  first  dock  was  call(>d  Denton's  landing",  and  was  probably 
built  by  Alexander  Colden  long-  befttre  the  war.  It  was  afterwards 
Georg-e  Gardner's  dock,  and  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Hamsdcdl.  'I'iie 
next  (hH'k  was  built  during-  the  war,  and  was  called  the  continental 
dock.  The  continental  ferry  used  to  huul  there.  It  was  where 
Mailler's  dock  now  is.  Where  the  north-east  C(U"ner  oi'  Water  and 
Tliird  streets  now  is,  were  barracks  for  the  soldiers,  ami  across  the 
street,  back  ttf  the  Orange  Hotel,  were  more  barracks.  They  were 
subsequently  removed  to  the  west  side  of  Smith  street,  and  were 
burned  down  some  years  ago.  Wliat  was  known  as  Oakley  &  Davis' 
dock  was  built  during  the  tMicampment  here  expressly  for  the  use  of 
the  aiiny:  and  north  o\'  it  was  an  t'ncU)Sure  for  cattle,  and  a  slauffhter- 
house,  &c.  After  the  war.  Major  Petting-ale  established  what  was 
called  IVttingale's  landing".  It  was  near  the  foot  of  \(U-th  street, 
which  was  then  a  g-(H)d  road.  Large  quantities  of  ship-tindu'r.  staves 
and  shingles  were  sent  oil"  from  this  landing".  There  was  no  dock — 
vessels  were  loaded  from  scows.  Pettingale  movt>d  a  building"  from 
the  neighborhood  of  Powell's  down  there  and  a  nuin   by  the  name  of 

*  This  tree  (now  removed)  had  many  historic  associations.    It  stood  in  front  of  tlie  pres- 
ent Ininty  M.  E.  ("Inu-ch.     (See  engraving  of  tlnit  church). 


KECOLLECTIONH. 


173 


Hog'aii  liv(;d  in  it.  Tlio  landing'  waH  in  \\\v,  cnvo  jnst  iioitli  of  tlie 
I'owdcr  magazino,  and  the  road  to  it  m  yet  there.  John  Peter  J)e 
Wint  built  the  do(;k  between  Mailler's  and  Oakley  &  Davis',  and  also 
the  bric'k  house  opposite  the  Bank  of  Newburg'h.  I(  was  Ihe  lirst 
brick  house  built  in  the  villag'o.  A  ro;iil  riin  down  to  the  dock  and 
the  brick  house  was  on  the  corner  of  it.  I''ront  stre(!t  was  not  here 
then.  The  river  ran  m|)  in  places  nearly  to  Water  sti'eet,  and  the 
ilocks  were  small  aflairs.  Water  stnM't,  north  of  l*'onrth,  ran  up  the 
hill  in  an  angulai-  direction,  and  intersect(;d  South  street  iieaily  oppo- 
site the  First  Baptist  church;  and  just  west  ol"  its  junction  was  the 
Blue  Bell  tavern. 

"  Thei'e  were  but  live  houses  below  the  hill  (south  ot  Second  street), 
beside  the  continental  bhu^ksniith  shop  wliicli  e.\tende(|  fmni  the  corner 
of"  Second  street  noi'th.  David  Howell  tinislied  it  and  lived  there  after 
the  war.  One  (if  these  houses  was  Mr.  Denton's,  afterwards  Judge 
Oardnei''s,  and  is  still  standing-  on  Watei'  street  near  the  Whaling 
house.  Anotlusr  was  where  Isaac  B(dkna|)  lived,  nearly  opposite;  the 
(jardner  house.  The  third  was  a  house  on  the  west  side  of  Denton's 
dock,  where  .John  Harris  afterwards  ciunnienced  the  hatting  business. 

The  fourth  was  the  residence  of 
Alex,  ("olden,  and  was  called 
the  Newiun'gh  House.  It  stood 
at  the  head  of  the  gore  between 
Colden  and  Water  street.  The 
lil'lli,  was  a  house  wliere  Benj. 
Smith  livei],  built  by  his  father, 
on  Smith  street,  near  the  cor- 
)ier  of  Second.  I'hc^  houses  be- 
low the  hill  clustered  in  the 
vicinity  of  First  street  pnjbably  from  the  fact  that  Colden's  old  f(;rry 
boats  landed  there.  Colden's  house  was  a  tw(»-story  frame  building', 
with  dormer  windows.  It  was  thirty  or  thirty-five  feet  square,  and 
had  four  rooms  on  the  first  fioor  and  a  hall  through  the  center.  It 
stood  fronting  the  river.  Benjamin  Roe,  the  first  harness-maker  in 
town,  lived  thei'e.  The  Squan;,  as  it  is  now  calhjd,  used  to  be  known 
as  Colden's  Gore.  It  was  fortnecl  by  the  opening  of  Water  and  PMrst 
streets,  and  the  pi'ioi'  course  of  Wagon  now  (Jolden  street.  Wagon 
street  ran  down  about  as  far  as  the  intersection  of  ('olden  and  Water 
streets  and  then  wound  down  the  hill  south  to  Denton's  dock.  While 
the  army  was  here,  Adolph  DeOrove  built  a  tavern  oji  the  west  side 
of  Wat(!r  street,  corner  of  Third,  and  several  other  buildings  were 
put  up  about  the  same  time.  Not  long  after  the  war,  John  Anderson 
built  a  store  on  the  south-east  corner  of  Water  and  Third  streets. 


THE    COLDEN    HOtlSK. 


174  HISTORY  OF  NEWnURGH. 

Robert  Ludlow  afterwiirds  bought  the  place.  Adolph  DeGrove  sold 
his  place  to  John  McAuley,  and  built  a  house  on  the  east  side  of  the 
street,  about  half-way  between  Second  and  Third  streets,  where  he 
kept  a  tavern,  and  where  he  opened  the  first  bakery  in  the  place. 
John  and  Joseph  Hoffman  afterwards  carried  on  the  baking-  business 
in  the  same  place.  They  subsequently  dissolved  partnership,  and 
Joseph  started  a  new  shop  on  the  north-west  corner  of  Water  and 
Second  streets.*  Daniel  Niven,  Jr.,  and  Marsh  &  Ferris  were  the 
principal  tailors.  John  Shaw  kept  a  store  on  the  east  side  of  Third 
street,  opposite  the  market;  and  Hugh  Walsh  kept  a  store  on  the 
west  side  of  the  market.  The  market  stood  at  the  foot  of  I'hird 
street,  and  the  street  ran  down  to  the  dock  on  each  side  of  it.  Robert 
Gourlay,  John  McAulay,  George  Monell,  and  Denniston  &  Abercrom- 
bie  had  stores  in  Water  street,  the  latter  firm  on  the  corner  where  the 
Orange  Hotel  now  stands.  John  McAuley  kept  his  store  in  DeGrove's 
old  tavern.  Matthew  DuBois  was  the  first  tobacconist.  His  shop  was 
in  Smith  street,  and  the  business  was  continued  after  his  death  by 
David  M.  DuBois.  Jonathan  Carter  was  the  next  tobacconist.  But 
time  would  fail  to  enumerate  a  tithe  even  of  the  changes  that  have 
occurred  in  the  progress  of  the  village. 

"James  Johnson  built  the  first  house  on  the  corner  where  the 
Orange  Hotel  stands.  Benjamin  and  Daniel  Birdsall  opened  the  first 
regular  store  in  the  village.  It  was  on  Denton's  dock.  It  was 
robbed,  and  1  found  the  stolen  goods  down  by  the  river  in  a  clump  of 
bushes — about  ten  dollars  worth  of  thread,  tape,  Dilworth's  spelling 
books,  and  other  articles. 

"I  have  said  that  the  river  ran  up  to  nearly  where  Water  street 
now  is.  The  bank  of  the  river  formed  a  curve,  setting  in  south  of 
South  street,  and  the  water,  at  about  Second  street,  was  within  a 
hundred  feet  of  Water  street.f  I  have  rowed  boats  on  the  beach 
where  the  United  States  Hotel  stands.  The  channel  was  very  abrupt, 
and  at  high-tide  sloops  sailed  almost  up  to  Water  street. 

"The  Druids  first  organized  as  a  debating  society.  I  joined  the 
society  under  the  impression  that  it  was  to  be  conducted  ior  the 
benefit  and  instruction  of  the  members.  The  laws  said  that  neither 
politics  nor  religion  were  to  be  discussed.  I  met  with  the  society 
four  or  five  times,  and  finding  that  politics  were  discussed,  I  quietly 
withdrew  and  never  troubled  myself  about  them  afterwards,  as  1  did 


*  "Joseph  Hoffman,  bakor,  respectfully  informs  the  public  and  Ids  friends  that  he  has 
removed  from  the  house  owned  by  Mrs.  Adolph  DeCrrove,  where  ho  formerly  lived,  to  the 
corner  of  Water  and  Second  streets,  two  doors  south  of  John  Brown's  store.'''— Adv.  in 
Recorder,  May  7,  1804. 

t  In  advertisement  of  mortgage  foreclosure,  dated  January  1,  1805,  we  find  Lot  No.  5, 
in  the  Township  of  Washington,  now  the  north-west  corner  of  Water  and  Second  streets, 
described  as  "  in  depth  from  the  east  line  of  Water  street  to  the  river,  100  feet." 


RECOLLECTIONS.  I75 


not  appi'ove  of  a  secret  political  society.  Perhaps  two-tliirds  of  the 
members  were  infidels.  Dr.  Johnston  makes  a  sweeping'  charge  that 
they  were  all  infidels,  and  all  came  to  violent  deaths.  It  is  a  great 
mistake.  I  have  heard  of  vile  acts  attribnted  to  some  of  the  mem- 
bers, as  well  as  to  some  who  were  not.  A  g'reat  many  withdrew 
after  I  left.  They  are  all  g'one  now  but  myself.  When  I  met  with 
the  society  it  held  its  sessions  in  the  upper  part  of  William  L.  Smith's 
house,  now  (late)  Eli  Hasbrouck's,  in  a  room  that  had  been  occupied 
by  a  Masonic  lodge.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  member.  Alexander  Falls  was 
secretary  of  the  society  for  some  time.*  When  I  joined  there  was  no 
initiation  form  or  fee.  I  understood  afterwards  they  used  a  ceremony 
similar  to  the  Masons — administered  an  oath,  &c.  The  society  after- 
wards met  in  a  ro(jm  finished  off  for  it  in  the  building  (which  stood) 
on  the  south-west  corner  of  Smith  and  Third  street.  I  don't  know  any- 
thing about  the  society  holding  meetings  in  the  old  Mcintosh  house, 
although  it  might  have  done  so  after  I  withdrew.  I  never  knew  how 
the  society  broke  up,  but  always  supposed  it  died  out  with  the  infidel 
mcjvement.  It  may  have  broken  up  in  a  (juarrel,  as  you  say  you 
have  heard  it  stated;  but  if  so  it  must  have  been  a  quarrel  got  up 
fn-  that  purpose. 

"I  see  that  the  house  occupied  by  Richard  Rikeman,  adjoining 
Doct.  Morrison's  old  place,  is  still  standing.  1  do  not  know  whether 
Rikeman  built  it  or  not — it  was  built  before  my  recollection.  Rike- 
man was  a  shoemaker. 

"During  the  war  salt  was  very  scarce.  I  have  seen  farmers  who 
were  wealthy  obtain  salt  from  my  father;  and  they  would  wrap  it 
up  and  carry  it  home  more  carefully  than  they  would  money.  My 
father  obtained  salt,  and  many  other  things  that  others  coivld  not  get, 
from  his  intimacy  with  Hugh  McConnel,  who  had  charge  of  the  public 
stores  at  Fishkill. 

"  The  first  Pest-house  stood  near  where  residence  of  the  late  John 
W.  Brown  now  is.  It  was  a  building  erected  by  Capt.  Coleman  for 
his  Nantucket  trade,  as  I  have  understood.  It  stood  in  a  grove  of 
pines,  and  was  a  solitary  place.  The  people  then  regarded  the  small- 
pox, and  other  contagious  diseases,  with  great  horror,  and  when 
persons  were  attacked  they  were  immediately  removed  to  the  Pest- 
house.  Speaking  of  the  small-pox  reminds  me,  that  I  have  often  heard 
it  stated  that  the  first  case  of  that  disease  here  was  in  the  Birdsall 


*  The  "Society  of  Ancient  Druids  "  was  organized  September  22,  1803,  as  appears  by 
a  notice  in  the  Recorder  of  the  Times  of  that  year,  and  also  by  the  following  advertise- 
ment in  the  Rights  of  Man  of  September,  1804: 

"Society  of  Ancient  Druids. — The  members  are  requested  to  meet  at  the  Lodge 
Eoom  on  Saturday,  the  22d  inst.,  at  three  o'clock  in  the'afternoon,  to  celebrate  their  anni- 
versary festival;  at  which  time  and  place  an  Oration  will  be  delivered  by  one  of  the  mem- 
bers.   Sept.  7, 1804.  ALEXANDER  FALLS,  Secy." 


176 


IIISTOBY  OF  NEWBVHGH. 


family.     It  was  during  the  war,  and  caused  no  little  alarm  among  the 
inhabitants.     The  circumstances  of  the  case  1  do  not  remember* 
"  Martin  Weigand's  tavern,  during  my  recollection,  stood  on  Liberty 

street  just  north  of  the  grave-yard. 

It  was  a  frame  building,  two  stories 

high,  and  had  a  stoop  in  fr(mt.     I 

dcm't    know   when    it    was  built. — 

The   soldiers   used    to   gather   there 

during  the  war,  and  it   was  a  soft 

of  rendezvous  for  old  pet>ple  to  meet 

and  tell  stories.    The  Justices  of  the 

^  „^^g:  Peace  had  their  courts  there,  and  the 

town  meetings  were  held  there  for  a 

WEIGAND'S  TAVERN— 1780.  loug  timc.     It  was  the  best  tavern 

in  the  place  for  a  good  many  years.     Weigand  was  a  good  citizen, 

although  not  a  man  of  any  education.     His  wife  was  Susan,  daughter 

of  Joseph  Albertscm.     I  believe  they  never  had  any  children. 

"  My  father,  Peter  Donnelly,  was  the  first  person  who  manufactured 
leather  here.  He  commenced  in  1774,  and  had  a  currying  shop  only. 
Many  of  the  farmers  tanned  their  own  leather  and  brought  it  to  him 
to  finish.  He  worked  during  the  war  at  dressing  leather  for  the  army 
whenever  they  needed  it,  and  received  no  pay  until  after  the  peace. 
Phineas  Howell  was  the  first  tanner.  He  had  a  shop  back  in  the  lot 
on  the  north-west  corner  of  Smith  and  Third  street.  I  sunk  my  tan- 
yard  (late  Jennings  &  McKinstry's,)  forty-eight  years  agt).  It  was 
then  a  part  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  partially  reclaimed.  1  used  to 
jump  from  bog  to  bog  to  get  to  it,  and  have  helped  to  lift  tnaiiy  a  cow 
out  of  the  mud  there.  When  the  village  was  laid  out.  Water  street 
reached  as  far  as  Mr.  Barclay's  morocco  factory,  where  there  was  a 
gate  not  fifty  years  ago.  Robert  Gardiner  was  the  first  man  who 
wt)rked  the  street  through. 

"  The  building  of  ships  and  other  vessels  was  quite  actively  prose- 
cuted here  both  before  and  after  the  war.  The  vessels  owned  by 
George  Gardner  were  built  at  his  yard,  just  north  of  First  street.  I 
believe  he  had  thi'ee  sloops  built — two  I  know.  His  ship-wright  was 
William   Holmes.      Jason  Rogers   established  a    ship-yard   between 

*  We  find  the  following  letter  among  the  Clinton  papers  in  the  State  Librar\ : 

Newburgh,  Feb.  26,  1778. 

"I  think  it  proper  to  inform  you,  that  one  Birdsall,  who  was  taken  prisoner  and  brought 
to  Poughkeepsie  goal,  but  hadliberty  to  come  to  Newburgh  to  his  brothers,  some  way  or 
other  has  got  the  small-pox,  upon  which  Isaac  Belknap's  and  two  other  families  became 
innoculated  in  that  neigliborhood,  near  the  dock  a  little  south  of  the  Continental  ferry. 
As  soon  as  I  heard  it  I  endeavored  to  prevent  it,  but  I  understand  their  Committee  has 
consented  to  it,  though  they  have  promised  not  to  suffer  any  more  to  be  innoculated  in 
Newburgh  town,  or  near  it,"  where  the  troops  might  be  exposed;  but  I  am  informed  they 
have  not  compUed  with  that  promise.    Dr.  Higby  is  the  person  who  innoculates. 

"  To  Governor  George  Clinton.  JAS.  CLINTON." 


RECOLLECTIONS.  I77 


Fourth  and  Fifth  streets,  where  he  built  a  brig-  of  two  or  three  hun- 
dred tons  burden.  The  stocks  for  this  vessel  were  laid  on  Water 
street  north  of  P'ifth.  When  she  was  launched,  the  hill  was  so  steep 
that  when  she  struck  the  water  she  wont  taifrail  under.  She  was 
built  lor  a  company  (jf  farmers,  (if  whom  Isaac  Fowler,  I  believe, 
was  one,  and  sailed  to  the  West  Indies.  William  Seymour — Mr. 
Bailey,  siiip-wrigdit — built  one  ship  and  other  vessels  at  the  same  yard. 
David  and  Walter  Burling  afterwards  built  a  ship  there  and  called 
her  the  Robert  Burns.  Richai'd  Hill  had  a  ship-yard  where  the  Man- 
sion House  stood  (Water  street,  north  of  Third).  He  contracted  to 
build  ships  and  other  vessels.  This  was  about  1800.  After  that  the 
biiilding-  of  vessels  became  too  conmion  to  attract  much  attention. 

■"  I  knew  all  tlie  principal  men  of  the  town  who  were  living  seventy 
years  or  so  ago.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Sayer,  the  last  minister  who  occupied 
the  parsonage,  was  imprisoned  during  tiie  war— whether  in  New  York 
or  Goshen,  I  don't  know  for  certain,  but  I  am  under  the  impression 
that  it  was  in  Goshen.  While  he  was  there  the  dysentery  broke  out 
among  the  soldiers  somewliere  in  the  vicinity,  and,  being  a  skillful 
physician,  they  gave  him  his  liberty  in  order  that  the  soldiers  might 
have  the  benefit  of  his  attendance.  He  afterwards  went  over  to  the 
British.  This  is  the  substance  of  conversations  lietween  my  mother 
and  otiiers  when  I  was  a  boy.  As  my  parents  were  Episcopalians,  I 
would  be  likely  to  hear  the  truth  on  the  subject. 

"Tlie  Rev.  Mr.  Spierin,  the  last  Episcopal  minister  under  the  old 
Glebe  charter,  was  a  good  preacher,  a  fine  reader,  very  pleasant  and 
social  in  his  disposition,  and  a  man  of  noble  appearance;  but  he  was 
as  ignorant  ()f  household  affairs  as  any  one  could  be.  One  day  when 
I  was  going  to  mill,  he  asked  me  if  I  could  get  some  meal  for  him. 
I  told  him  I  would.  He  immediately  called  to  his  wife  for  a  bag. 
Said  he,  "James  is  going  to  mill  and  will  get  us  some  Indian  meal, 
and  we  will  have  some  nice  Buckwheat  cakes."  His  wife  laughed 
heartily,  and  exchiimed,  "A  bull!  a  bull!  an  Irish  bull!"  His  look 
of  astonishment  was  amusing;  but  we  did  not  explain  the  matter  to 
him,  and  he  turned  on  his  heel,  sa^'ing  that  we  both  acted  like  tools. 
Mr.  S.  and  his  wife  were  natives  of  Ireland.  He  lived  in  the  house 
now  occupied  by  C.  F.  V.  Reeve,  on  the  corner  of  Grand  and  South 
street,  where  he  taught  a  few  scholars  preparatory  for  college. 
William  Ross  was  one  of  his  pupils. 

"  The  first  Methodist  minister  who  preached  here  was  a  Mr.  Mc- 
Claskey,  an  Irishman  by  birth.  He  was  rather  a  fine  looking  man, 
although  he  wore  a  very  nnclerical  red  handkerchief  around  his  neck. 
The  first  Methodist  meeting  was  held  in  the  old  clothing  storehouse, 
then  occupied  by  the  Presbyterians.     After  that  they  held  meetings 


012 


178  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBOU. 


in  the  old  Globe  church,  except  when  the  weather  was  very  cold 
Their  iniH'ting-s  were  well  attended,  as  it  was  not  only  a  privilege  to 
hear  preaching-,  but  a  Methodist  parson  was  a  curiosity  in  those  days. 
Ez(;kiel  Cooper  was  the  next  preacher  on  the  circuit,  and  John  Cooper 
next.  They  were  a  source  of  annoyance  to  Mr.  Close,  the  Presbyterian 
minister,  who  complained  to  deacon  Keeve  that  the  Methodists  were 
gaining  ground  very  fast.  "Yes,"  replied  Reeve,  "and  if  yon  do  not 
pr(>ach  better  than  you  have  done,  they  will  have  all  the  ground." 

"Mr.  ('lose  was  a  very  dry  preacher.  T  have  been  told  that  he 
preached  to  the  soldiers  during  the  war,  but  where  I  do  not  know. 
Mr.  Graham,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  came  from  Fishkill  and  preached 
sometimes  during  the  war  and  after.  He  pr(^ached  in  High  street 
after  the  war.  His  son  married  a  daughter  of  Elnathan  Foster.  Mr. 
Lewis  was  stationed  here  before  Mr.  Johnston.  Deacon  Lawrence 
was  a  leading  man  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  was  chorister  in 
the  old  storehouse,  and  wore  a  white  cap,  as  did  all  the  very  old 
men  at  that  time.  He  continued  to  sing  until  some  Yankees  came 
here  and  introduced  singing  by  note,  which  caused  gi'cat  dissatisfac- 
tion and  opposition.  He  was  a  very  good  man.  He  lived  in  the  old 
house  still  standing  on  High  street,  near  the  corner  of  First  street.* 

"  Mr.  Hartwick,  of  Hartwick's  patent,f  was  the  last  Lutheran  min- 
ister here.  He  preached  in  the  old  church,  by  permission,  before  the 
war,  and  a  few  times  afterwards.  One  of  his  sermons  was  declared 
monarchical.  He  preached  until  lu'  was  very  old — ninety  years  or 
so.  He  used  to  go  to  church  and  cry  like  a  child.  One  day  he  met 
the  Mt'lhodist  minister  at  Mr.  Foster's.  "Come,"  said  he,  "take  the 
Bible  and  let  us  go  into  the  church."  They  went,  and  the  Methodist 
preached  and  he  listened. 

"Mr.  Penny,  the  teacher  in  the  (Jlcbe  school,  was  a  native  of 
Yorkshire,  England.  He  i-anie  to  this  country  with  thirteen  children, 
and  had  another  born  here  which  he  called  his  "  Ameracan."  He 
must  have  been  a  very  odd  teacher,  as  he  spoke  the  Yorkshire  dialect. 
He  taught  before  my  remembrance,  but  I  knew  him  well  when  he 
lived  at  Rossville.  He  brought  from  England  a  recipe  for  the  pre- 
vention of  hydrophobi;i,  which  is  still  preserved  among  his  descend- 
ants of  the  Everett  family  of  Modena,  Ulster  county.;];  Some  one 
found  a  nest  of  caterpillars  on  a  tree  and  asked  Mr.  P.  what  they  did 

*  Dr.  Johnston  says  of  Elder  Lawrence  ( Auf  o.  145),  Newburgh's  first  Chorister:  "  When 
I  took  chatf^e  of  the  congregation,  an  oUl  Rontloman,  one  of  the  elders,  was  leader ;  he 
was  ipnorant  of  all  rules  of  music,  and  his  performance  was  sufficient  evidence  of  all  this." 

t  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  iv.,  294.  Mr  Hartwick  died  Julv  17,  1796,  at  Clermont,  N.  Y.,  aged 
about  90  years.  He  spont  62  years  in  the  ministry,  and  left  a  large  estate  for  the  promo- 
tion of  religious  purposes.  The  Hartwick  seminary,  in  Otsego  county,  was  founded  from 
his  estate.    He  was  not  located  in  Newburgli,  but  made  occasional  visits. 

X  This  recipe  was  copy-righted  by  Mr.  Penny's  heirs.  It  is  still  obtainable,  and  has 
very  high  testimonials  of  its  efficiency. 


Recollections. 


179 


w  .  ,ak  tl,.n,  „„d  cash  thon,  „ndo,-  ,„„■  foet,  just  «o„,"  sta„  p^.g 
W  f,,„t  „n  ,l,e  g,.,„„ul.  I  l,av<.  kM„w„  «.veral  instance;  wl,,.,-,  l,i, 
med,e,ne  has  prevented  hydrophobia.  There  was  a  groat  d  .1  , f 
hydr„pi,„.„a  here  during  the  war  and  alter  its  close.     Anin,als  wen 

to  he  seventy  ..  the  winters,  animals  being  unable  to  procure  water 
M,.  John  Nathan  H„tel,i„s  liv.-d  in  the  parsonage  house  duri,!g 
he  war  and  taught  school  i„  „,c  back  room.  He  fottnded  what  w'* 
long  known  as  "  Hutchins'  Pandly  AIn.anac,"  for  which  he  n  rdeThe 
astronomical  calculations.  He  was  a  lea-^ed  man;  b„  t.  W 
read  the  church  of  England  prayers  literally.  This  gave  offel  ! 
^.me  o  the  w  „gs,  who  did  not  like  tl„.  idea  of  praying  f„r  the  k  ng 
Major  saac  Belknap  took  him  to  task  on  the  subject  "Tu,  tu 
.r,e„d  Isaac,"  replied  Hutchins,  "does  not  ,.,e  Bible  cn.mar^i.st^^; 
pray  for  our  cnemips "     "  V..o  "         i   «  i,  ^>'iiiiii<iiiu  iis  to 

don't  believe  in  i""  '    """'  "'""""■  " '  '"'"^  "'»'■  ^"t  ' 

lived'in  o'"' """"'"''l'-   ""'"'"■""  '"  "'^'  •''^■'-  -l'""l.-d  also 
.    a,d  hght  eo„,plex,oned,  of  English  descent  but  a  native  of  Bern  „da 

I  cl..  no,  recolle.:t  seeing  Col.  Jonathan  Hash, .-k   but  I       ve' 

often  seen  Mrs.  Hasbrouck.     They  kept  a  store,  and  I  w  L        „  ^ 

*h<    „as  tall,   tlnn,  and   dark,   and  laced   herself  up   i„   stavs      She 

c  ^zr'witr'i" '■"  '"■ '-''  "-^  "'•■■  "'"■-"'"  "'^»" '- 

Muivtrs^iiion    with    lior    servants    in    Dnffh      Tlw.      i  i    i       i 

:'.::;  :;■  he  t^r  ■:;::,:, tt  ""^■•■"™^^  -" 

v.nl  w.  f    r    ';'""'"•      ^'"    '^''t'-.i.niard  usod  to  parade  in  the  door- 
yaidwestol   (iiehou.se      Tiiev  wpiv.   ..    fi,.      i    a       v 

■     ^    ,  iii^y  weie  a  hue    body  of  men everv  ..no 

SIX  feet  or  over  in  liei_i.-ht  ^      ^ 

.«.n  Simpson  and  Brou,:;:,iZ:,,rt:.itt:;;  ;rr -^ 

boys  had  a  song  comniencing-—  ^^  ^*'^ 

"Gallus  Brom  Johnson  rides  up  and  down, 
Bringing  the  poor  tones  to  Newburgh  town  " 

who"ei:.ed  ilwh'""''  ""  "  ""'""■''  ''"''■  ^""  -'-  "-  "f  »"<- 
tu         He   w  '"'"™""'  '""  *"  "■■"■  »""""  '"■  ■''■'"»'>  "•»"'"■'«=- 

resent  an  msult,  and  as  quick  to  do   a   kind   act.     I   remember  an 
anecdote  that  diustrates  the  Major's  disposition.     It  wa  The  cusbu 
for  the  people  during  the  winter  to  take  turns  in  breaki:,g  the  ":! 


l^Q  HIS  TOR  Y  OF  NEWB  UR  GH. 

after  a  heavy  fall  of  snow.  On  one  occasion,  while  the  Majin-  was 
thus  eng-ag-ed,  Josepli  Albertson'came  along  and  the  Maj\)r  reminded 
him  tliat  it  was  his  turn  to  work  the  road.  Albertson  replied  very 
deliberately,  "  Major— you— lie  "—a  blow  from  the  Major  laid  him 
floundering  in  the  snow,  but  on  reg:aining'  his  feet  he  completed  the 
sentence,  "under — a — mistake."  "I  am  very  sorry  I  struck  you," 
said  the  Major,  extending  his  hand,  "but  you  must  learn  to  put  your 
words  closer  tog'ether." 

"Major  Pettin-.?ale,  the  proprietor  of  Pettingale's  landing  and  of  a 
farm  adjoining,  was  one  of  tiie  officers  who  took  leave  of  Washing- 
ton at  Fraunce's  tavern  in  New  York.  He  was  a  Massachusetts  man, 
larg-e  and  rather  fine  looking,  very  jocose  and  pleasant,  but,  like  many 
of  our  officers,  army  life  had  injured  his  habits.  He  lived  where  the 
old  poor-house  now  stands,*  and  died  there.  His  son  sold  the  farm  to 
William  Seymour.  His  wife  was  a  very  amiable  woman,  small  in 
person,  fair  complexion  and  blue  eyes,  and  looked  too  delicate  to  bear 
the  fatigue  of  camp  life,  which  she  did  with  her  children  during  the 
war.  Tiiey  had  three  sons,  Joseph,  Henry  and  Fry,  and  three  daugh- 
ters. One  of  the  daughters  married  Col.  Price,  who  had  charge  of 
West  Point  at  the  time.  The  other  two  married  Thomas  Carscaden 
as  his  first  and  second  wife. 

"  Mr.  Ward — the  first  and  only  one  of  that  name  that  owned  any 
Glebe  land,  except  his  sons,  to  my  knowledge — lived  and  died  in  the 
hollow.  I  have  already  spoken  of  the  Ward  house.  He  left  four 
children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  One  of  his  daughters  married 
a  Mr.  Wiiitehead,  of  Marlborough,  and  the  other  married  Doct.  Mor- 
rison. The  sons,  Williarh  and  Jerry,  died  bachelors.  They  moved 
from  the  hollow  into  a  house  on  Liberty  street,  where  they  lived  when 
I  first  knew  them.  They  were  quite  old  men  then,  and  I  think  they 
were  both  over  eighty  at  the  time  of  their  death.  Affairs  did  not 
prosper  with  them  in  their  old  age — by  some  means  they  h)st  all  their 
property  They  were  kind  and  easy  in  their  disposition.  Jerry  was 
fortunate  to  die  at  home.  William  lived  alone  about  three  years  after 
Jerry's  death,  and  tlien  had  a  room  at  Weigand's  tavern  where  he 
died.  They  were  in  all  ])robability  the  children  of  William  Ward,  Jr., 
although  I  never  knew  iheir  father's  name.  Doct.  Mi)rrison  had  three 
children,  two  daughters  and  one  son.  One  of  his  daughters  married 
a  ship-carpenter  named  Bradley  and  lived  here — the  other  married  a 
Hawkins  and  removed  to  Ballston.     His  son,  Hugh,  was  a  physician. 

"Col.  Bowman  was  one  of  tlie  first  lawyers  who  settled  here.  He 
had  been  a  colonel  in  the  army  during  the  war.  In  person  he  was 
short  and  rather  corpulent,  large  head   and  face,  and  a  mouthful  of 

*  Corner  of  Water  and  North  streets.    His  farm  contained  about  ten  acres. 


JiECOLLECTIONB.  181 


teeth  as  black  as  ebony.  He  always  wore  a  cocked  hat.  He  was  a 
man  of  fine  talents  and  g-entlemanly  mannei's;  but  was  very  intem- 
perate during  the  last  years  of  his  life.  His  principal  competitor  was 
Mr.  Sleig-lit,  and  afterwards  Judge  Fisk.  Bowman's  only  child,  Mary 
married  Ben.  Anderson,  a  lawyer  but  a  worthless  fellow. 

"The  first  tailor  tliat  had  work  done  at  his  shop  or  house,  was  Mr. 
Cooper,  father  of  Gilbert  Cooper,  and  grandfather  of  Mrs.  iStephen 
Hyatt.  He  removed  from  New  York,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
took  up  his  residence  in  High  street.  We  had  tailors  l)efore  his  time, 
but,  like  the  shoemakers,  they  used  to  whip  the  cat  around  the  country 
— that  is,  they  traveled  from  one  house  to  another  as  their  services 
might  be  required.  Mr.  June  was  our  first  fashionable  tailor.  A 
lawyer  friend  of  Col.  Bowman's  lost  some  buttons  from  his  vest,  and 
asked  him  where  he  should  go  to  get  them  put  on.  "  Go  down  street," 
said  Bowman,  "  and  the  first  man  you  meet  that  looks  like  a  gentle- 
man and  wears  a  cocked  hat,  ask  him  and  lie  will  do  it  for  you."  He 
referred  to  Mr.  June,  who  was  exceedingly  neat  in  his  dress. 

"  George  Gardner  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and  a  man  of  much 
foi'ce  of  character.  He  married  a  widow  Wyatt.  They  had  three 
children — two  sons  and  a  daughter.  William  married  a  sister  of 
Capt.  Henry  Robinson.  The  other  son  (I  forget  his  name,)  married  a 
Miss  Crissey.  The  daughter  married  Doct.  Smith,  and,  after  his  death, 
Rev.  Dr.  Luther  Halsey.  Capt.  Henry  Robinson  obtained  the  Gardner 
farm,  and  improved  the  property. 

"  Edward  Howell  kept  the  first  tavern  where  the  Orange  Hotel  now 
stands.  It  was  a  frame  building,  two  stories  high  and  had  a  side 
entrance  by  stairs  on  Third  street.  Benjamin  Case  kept  a  tavern  on 
the  south-east  corner  of  Water  and  Fourth  streets.  Benj.  Case,  Jr.,  I 
believe,  had  a  hotel  there  afterwards.  The  Mansion  House  was  the 
next  principal  hotel,  and  was  built  by  Hugh  Walsh 

"  There  was  quite  a  settlement  at  Balmville  both  before  and  after 
the  war.  William  Bloomer*  had  a  blacksmith  shop  there,  and  Michael 
Demott  a  tavern.  Isaac  and  Jacob  Demott  were  sons  of  Michael. 
Bloomer  lived  in  the  house  now  the  residence  of  H.  K.  Brown,  and 
his  shop  stood  in  the  south  part  of  the  garden  opposite.  Denton's 
grist  mill  was  in  the  hollow  back  of  Col.  Hathaway's  barn.  He  had 
a  store  and  a  wharf  on  the  north  side  of  the  brook.  The  Flewwel- 
lingsf  lived  in  that  neighborhood.     After  the  war  Daniel  Smith  open- 


*  Joseph  Bloomer  is  the  first  of  the  name  on  record  in  the  town.  He  bought  part  of  lot 
No.  9,  of  the  German  patent,  iu  1754,  and  sold  a  portion  of  it  to  Morris  Flewwelling  in 
17G4.     William  Bloomer  was  located  on  the  remainder. 

t  James,  John,  Abel,  and  Morris  Flewwelling  were  early  residents  of  the  town.  Abel 
married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Samuel  Fowler;  John  was  the  first  supervisor  of  the  town 
(1772);  Morris  was  supervisor  in  1774.  They  appear  to  have  been  positive  loyalists  from 
the  first.    James  joined  Claudius  Smith's  band  and  was  executed  at  Goshen  in  1779. 


182  HISTOBY  OF  NEWBUBGH. 

ed  a  store  there;*  he  afterwards  built  the  large  brick  house  on  the 
east  side  of  the  road,  and  had  a  wharf  on  the  south  side  of  the  brook. 

"  In  regard  to  the  Balm  of  Gilead  tree,  my  own  observation  con- 
firms the  statement  given  by  Isaac  Demott,  in  Eager's  Orange  County, 
l)agc  200.  Mr.  Demott  says  that  "  the  tree  grew  there  naturally — 
that  when  it  had  grown  large  enough  for  a  rail,  he  cut  it  down  and 
used  it  for  that  purpose — that  it  sprouted  from  the  root  and  he  let  it 
grow."  Mr.  Demott  owned  the  place  on  which  the  tree  stands,  and 
hence  would  know  more  about  it  than  any  one  else.  I  first  saw  the 
tree  when  I  was  between  eight  and  nine  years  of  age,  which  is 
seventy-six  years  ago.  The  trunk  was  then  six  or  eight  inches  in 
diameter,  and  tlie  top  large  and  spreading.  I  remember  the  tree,  and 
visited  it  often,  as  there  was  considerable  talk  then  about  its  medicin- 
al virtues,  but  I  have  no  recollection  of  their  ever  being  tested,  f 

"The  Demott  tavern  stood  a  short  distance  east  from  the  Balm  of 
Gilead  tree;  it  was  a  small  affair,  as  were  all  the  taverns  of  those 
days.  The  Butterworths  done  business  at  Balmville  for  some  years, 
and  had  a  store  and  a  large  distillery;  but  tliis  was  later. 

"The  old  Arthur  Smith  and  Jehiel  Clark  farms  were  about  half-way 
to  Marlborough.  Smith  had  a  tavern  (afterwards  kept  by  his  son 
Arthur),  and  there  was  a  smith  shop  in  the  neighborhood.  The  place 
was  then  called  "Middletown."  There  wei'e  fourteen  taverns  on  the 
road  to  Marlborough,  and  Smith's  was  in  the  center  of  the  line.| 
There  was  a  great  deal  of  dram-drinking  in  the  town  after  the  war, 
and  many  were  ruined  by  it. 

"I  might  give  you  some  more  information,  perhaps,  if  I  knew  just 
what  you  wanted,  but  without  prompting  the  past  comes  back  slowly. 
It  seems  but  a  little  while  ago  since  our  village  was  almost  nothing, 
and  I  can  hardly  realize  that  it  is  the  same  place  where  I  played 
when  a  boy.  Yours,  &c.,  JAMES  DONNELLY." 


*  Daniel  Smith  purchased  from  William  Bloomer,  in  1791,  and  from  Catharine  Demott 
and  William  Bloomer,  executors  of  James  Demott,  in  1792.  The  latter  purchase  is  describ- 
ed as  lands  "lying  along  the  south  line  of  the  five  patentees,"  i.  e.  the  Harrison  patent. 
Demott  purchased  from  Daniel  DarHng. 

t  In  regard  to  this  remarkable  tree— which  is  certainly  the  "  oldest  inhabitant"  of  the 
town— Mr.  Gilbert  Williams,  now  (1875)  in  his  80th  year,"  and  who  became  a  resident  in  its 
vicinity  in  1808,  relates,  that  when  in  Nova  Scotia  (where  he  resided  for  nine  years  prior  to 
1832),  he  became  acquainted  with  John  Cosman,  who  was  an  apprentice  to  Wm.  Bloomer 
before  the  Eevolution,  who  stated  that  while  be  was  an  apprentice  'he  had  shod  horses 
under  it  many  a  time,  and  that  it  was  a  large  tree  then.  Mr.  Williams  measured  the  tree 
in  1832,  and  its  circumference  (two  feet  from  the  ground)  was  fifteen  feet  two  inches.  He 
measured  it  again  in  1868,  and  found  it  to  be  nineteen  feet  live  inches,  showing  its  growth  to 
have  been  four  feet  and  three  inches  in  thirty-six  years.  His  own  recollection  of  the  tree 
added  to  Cosman's  carries  it  back  at  least  a  hundred  years,  from  which  data  and  that  of 
its  rate  of  growth  he  is  convinced  that  its  age  is  much  greater  than  that  given  to  it  by 
the  Demott  tradition.  The  tree  was  evidently  planted. by  some  person,  as  it  is  not  an  in- 
digenous one.  The  first  settlers  were  there  "in  1709,  and'may  have  brought  it  with  them, 
but  tlie  probabilities  favor  a  later  period.    It  is  dcchying  now  and  will  soon  be  gone. 

t  The  Smith  house  is  now  owned  by  John  S.  Purdy ;  it  has  been  rebuilt,  and  its  original 
proportions  are  unrecognizable.    Its  age  (1875)  is  about  120  years. 


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VILLA  GE  IN  CORP  OR  A  TION.  183 


CHAPTER    IX. 

VILLAGE    OF    NEWBURGH — AMENDED    GI.EBE    CHARTER — SECOND    WAR    WITH 

ENGLAND BUSINESS    REVIEW WAR    OF    THE    REBELLION — CITY 

ORGANIZATION — GENERAL    SUMMARY. 


AT  the  opening  of  the  present  century  the  inhabitants  of  the  Ger- 
man ])atent  tlircw  off  the  township  titles  into  which  it  was 
princijjally  divided,  and,  for  tlie  purpose  of  securing  better  municipal 
government,  united  in  an  applicati(jn  to  the  legislatui'e  for  an  act  to 
incorporate  the  village  of  Newburgh,  a  title  which  had  been  adopted 
in  the  act  of  1797,  organizing  the  fire  department.  In  response  to  the 
application,  the  legislature  passed,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1800,  an 
act  of  incorporation,  defining  the  bounds  of  the  village  and  author- 
izing the  election  of  trustees  and  other  officers.  The  act  further  pro- 
vided that  the  trustees  should  have  power  to  make,  ordain  and  publish 
such  by-laws,  rules  and  regulations  as  should  be  deemed  meet  and 
proper,  particularly  in  reference  to  public  markets,  streets,  alleys  and 
highways;  to  abate  slaughter-houses  and  nuisances  generally;  to 
determine  the  number  of  inns  or  taverns,  and  grant  licenses  to  the 
same;  to  restrain  the  running  at  large  of  geese,  cattle,  hogs  and 
other  animals;  to  erect  and  regulate  hay-scales,  and  to  have  general 
powers  "relative  to  anything  whatsoever"  that  should  concern  the 
"public  and  good  government"  of  the  village  thereby  created.* 

The  act  took  immediate  effect,  and  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  May  after 
its  passage,  seven  trustees,  three  assessors,  three  fire-wardens,  a  col- 
lector, and  a  treasurer,  were  elected;  and  the  board  of  trustees 
organized  under  the  presidency  of  John  Anderson.f  The  immediate 
duties  devolving  upon  them  were  comparatively  light,  and  beyond  the 
erection  of  a  public  market  and  the  leasing  of  the  stalls,  the  partial 
grading  of  Water  street,  and  the  adoption  of  a  few  general  regula- 
tions, very  little  was  done. 

Immediately  after  the   incorporation  of  the   village,   an  act  was 


*  Newburgh  was  the  second  incorporated  village  in  the  state.  The  village  of  Lansing- 
burgh  was  the  first. 

t  The  records  of  the  board  from  1800  to  1804  have  not  been  preserved;  but  from  pub- 
lished reports  it  appears  that  John  Anderson  was  president  from  May,  1800  to  1802;  Levi 
Dodge  from  May  1802  to  1803;  Jacob  Powell  from  May  1803  to  1804,  when  George  Monel} 
was  elected. 


184  nmTORY  OF  NEM^BURGH. 

passed  (March  20,  1801,)  constituting:  and  appointing  Robert  Bowne, 
John  DeWint,  William  Seymour,  Levi  Dodge,  Johannes  Miller,  Hugh 
Walsh,  George  Clinton,  Jr.,  Jacob  Powell,  John  McAuley,  Charles 
Clinton,  William  W.  Sackett,  George  Gardner,  and  all  such  others  as 
should  associate  for  that  purpose,  a  body  corporate  and  politic  by  the 
name  of  "  The  President,  Directors  and  Company  of  the  Newburgh 
and  Cochecton  Turnpike  Road,"  with  a  capital  of  $126,000,  for  the  con- 
struction of  a  road  from  Newbnrgli  to  the  Delaware  river.*  The 
stock  was  soon  taken  and  the  road  constructed.  In  its  effect  upon 
the  prosperity  of  the  village,  it  was  of  far  greater  importance  than 
that  of  municipal  organization,  opening  as  it  did  an  avenue  of  trade 
extending  for  many  miles  into  the  interior,  and  connecting  the  southern 
tier  of  counties  with  tlie  city  of  New  York,  via  Newburgh. 

Meanwhile  the  affairs  of  the  Glebe  demanded  attention.  The  trus- 
tees under  the  charter  were  acting,  in  a  measure,  in  deliance  of  its 
provisions  by  denying  to  the  church  any  participation  in  the  revenues, 
and  by  appropriating  the  whole  income  to  the  support  of  schools.  To 
remove  the  legal  disabilities  under  which  the  trustees  labored,  the 
legislature  passed,  in  1803,  "  an  act  to  alter  and  amend  the  charter  of 
the  Glebe  lands  in  the  German  patent,  in  the  village  of  Newburgh," 
by  the  terms  of  which  the  inhabitants  on  the  patent  were  empowered 
to  elect,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  May,  annually,  three  persons  to 
"officiate  as  trustees  of  the  aforesaid  Glebe."  The  act  also  ordered, 
that  the  moneys  arising  from  the  annual  income  should  forever  there- 
after be  appropriated  solely  to  the  support  of  schools;  that  $200 
should  be  paid  annually  to  the  trustees  of  the  Academy,  and  that  the 
remainder  of  the  income  should  be  paid  to  other  schools  which  were 
then,  or  should  be  thereafter,  established  on  said  Glebe:  "Provided," 
that  if  at  any  time  thereafter,  "  a  minister  of  the  Episcopal  church 
should  be  inducted  on  said  patent,"  then  the  trustees  should  have 
power  to  "  paj'  annually  for  the  support  of  said  minister  "  such  pro- 
portion of  the  moneys  as  should  be  "  reasonable,  according  to  the 
true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  charter."  Under  this  act,  an  election 
was  held  at  the  house  of  Edward  Howell  (May  10,  1803),  when  Danl. 
Smith,  William  H.  Smith  and  John  Harris  were  chosen  trustees. 

Thus  the  matter  remained  until  1805,  when  the  members  of  the 
Episcopal  church  determined,  if  possible,  to  regain  possession  of  the 
income  of   the   Glebe,  and    to   reestablish  the   provisions  of  the  old 


*  The  arched  bridge  at  Bridgeville,  Sullivan  county,  which  was  completed  in  1807,  bears 
the  only  monument  to  the  Directors  of  this  road  now  remaining  on  its  line.  In  the  para- 
pet on  the  eastern  abutment  of  this  bridge,  a  niarblo  slab  was  inserted  with  the  inscrip- 
tion: "Jacob  Powell,  President;  George  Monell,  Treasurer;  Wilham  H.  Weller,  Secretary; 
Jonathan  Hedges,  Charles  Clinton,  Levi  Dodge,  Daniel  Stringham,  Jonathan  Fisk,  Cvprian 
Webster,  Reuben  Neely,  Daniel  C.  Verplanck,  Hamilton  Morrison,  David  Crawford- Direc- 
tors, 1807."— Qu2»iZa«'s  Sullivan  County,  537. 


AMENDED   GLEBE  CHARTER.  185 


charter.  With  a  view  to  accomplish  this,  the  bishop  appointed  the 
Rev.  Cave  Jones  a<2;-ent  for  tlie  church,  and  Messrs.  Jonathan  Fisk 
and  Walter  Case  were  employed  sis  counsel.  To  allay  public  excite- 
ment, a  card  was  issued  by  the  ap;ent  and  the  counsel  for  the  church, 
in  which  they  pledg-ed  themselves  that  in  case  the  church  should 
succeed  in  establishing  her  claim  to  the  Glebe,  the  income  therefrom 
should  be  appropriated  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning-  of 
the  charter  I'or  the  support  of  a  free  school  for  the  children  of  the  poor 
residing- on  the  patent;  and  that  in  renewing-  leases,  all  things  should 
be  made  "  commodious  and  agreeable  to  the  parties  concerned." 

To  this  card  was  appended  a  call  for  a  meeting  of  the  male  inhabi- 
tants ol'  the  ])atent,  who  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  church  and 
entitled  to  vote  at  other  elections,  to  be  held  at  the  old  Episcopal 
church  building,  on  Monday,  November  4,  for  the  purpose  of  choosing 
"two  Trustees  of  the  Parish  of  Newburgh,  according  to  the  true  intent 
and  meaning  of  the  charter  granting  the  Glebe  on  the  said  Patent." 

The  meeting  was  held — the  votes  otfered  by  those  who  were  not 
members  of  the  Episcopal  church  were  rejected — eleven  votes  only 
were  received,  and  Jonathan  Fisk  and  Joseph  Hoffman  were  chosen 
trustees.  They  then  proceeded  to  reorganize  the  church,  by  the 
election  of  wardens  and  vestrymen,  so  that  it  might  be  in  a  proper 
position  to  maintain  its  authority  by  an  appeal  to  the  courts. 

For  the  purpose  of  determining  the  legality  of  the  law  (jf  1803,  an 
action  of  ejectment  was  immediately  brought  by  the  church  against 
Michael  Nestle,  who  held  a  portion  of  the  Glebe  by  virtue  of  a  lease 
from  the  trustees  elected  pursuant  to  that  act.  The  cause  was  tried 
November  26th,  1806,  at  the  Orange  Circuit  Court,  before  Mr.  Justice 
Tompkins,  and  the  church  was  nonsuited.  At  the  succeeding  term,  a 
motion  was  made  to  set  aside  the  nonsuit,  and  argument  was  made 
before  Justices  Van  Ness  and  Spencer.  Mr.  Fisk,  on  the  part  of  the 
church,  held,  that  the  (n'iginal  intention  in  granting  the  patent  evi- 
dently was,  that  members  of  the  Episcopal  church  alone  should  be 
permitted  to  vote  at  elections  for  trustees,  and  that  to  deny  this 
position  would  be  to  defeat  the  intention  of  the  charter.  The  act  of 
1803,  he  held,  was  void,  as  the  legislature  had  no  power  to  divest  the 
church  of  any  rights  vested  by  the  charter  in  the  original  grantees  of 
the  Glebe.  J.  Radclifte  and  T.  A.  Emmet,  on  the  part  of  the  trustees 
under  the  act  of  1803,  held  that  the  original  charter  w^as  to  "  German 
Lutherans.  On  their  removal  from  the  tract,  the  remaining  inhabi- 
tants being  of  the  church  of  England  or  Episcopalians,  met  together, 
elected  trustees,  surrendered  the  original  patent  and  obtained  a  new 
charter  to  them  and  their  successors.  If  none  but  persons  of  the 
same  religious  denomination  with  those  named  in  the  original  grant 


Igfi  HISTORY  OF  NEWBllRGH. 

liad  a  ri<;-ht  to  vote,  thcMi  the  Episcopalians,  in  1750,  had  no  rig-ht  to 
elect  trustees;"  that  tliere  was  as  "much  ground  to  object  to  the 
charter  of  1752,  under  whicli  the  plaintifl"  claims  as  to  the.  act  of  1808, 
under  which  the  defendant  holds;"  and  that  the  Episcopalians,  in  1750, 
acted  in  th(^  same  manner  towards  the  Lutherans,  as  the  Presbyte- 
rians, in  1S03,  acted  towards  the  Episcopalians." 

But  while  in  the  arg-unuMit  of  counsel  the  case  was  nuide  to  depend 
entirely  upon  the  (piestion  of  the  riglit  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
patent,  irrespective  of  church  membership,  to  vote  at  elections  for 
trustees,  the  point  raised  was  not  dc^cided  by  the  court.  In  his 
opinion,  Mr.  Justit-e  Nan  Ness  avoided  the  issue  presented,  ibr  the 
avowed  purpose  of  leaving  the  matter  open  to  a  compromise;  but  held 
that  the  trustees  elet'ted  under  the  act  of  1808,  were  the  trustees  de 
facto,  and  were  hence  clothed  with  competent  authority  to  grant  the 
lease  to  Nestle,  and  that  a  new  trial  ought  to  be  denied. 

Mr.  Justice  Spencer,  iiowever,  met  the  question  presented,  and  held, 
that  "right  of  election"  was  "expressly  g-iven  by  the  charter,  to  all 
male  inhabitants  of  the  German  patent  who  were  above  the  age  of 
twenty-one  years;"  and  that,  "  the  plaintiff  having  failed  to  show  any 
title,"  the  defendant  could  not  be  disturbed  in  his  possession.  Al- 
though not  regarded  as  a  decision  on  the  merits  of  the  case,  these 
opinions  destroyed  all  hope  of  reestablishing  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
church  over  the  Glebe,  and  further  proceedings  were  stayed.* 

Tiie  records  of  the  trustees  of  the  villag'e  contain  many  proofs 
that  they  were  nt)t  neglectful  of  the  duties  devolved  upon  them  by 
the  charter.  In  180-4,  a  public  meeting  was  called  by  them  for  the 
purpose  of  adopting  a  plan  for  supplying  the  village  with  water;  and 
during  the  same  year  a  night-watch  was  organized.  In  1800,  public 
hay-scales  w^ere  erected;  and  several  improvements  nuvde  in  the 
streets.  Private  enterprise,  too,  began  to  yield  its  fruits.  Turnpikes 
were  opened  in  different  directions, f  thus  increasing  tlie  commercial 
facilities  of  the  town;  and  the  Bank  of  Newburgh  was  established  in 
1811.  The  results  of  these,  and  kindred  enterprises,  are  forcibly 
illustrated  in  the  fact  that,  from  the  overwhelming  indebtedness, 
which  rested  like  an  incubus  on  the  town  at  the  close  of  the  war  of 
Independence,  in  thirty  years  it  had  attained  such  a  position  of  wealth 
that  it  paid  one-tV)urth  of  the  tax  of  the  entire  county. 

But  while  the  citizens  of  Newburgh  were  thus  engaged  in  these 


*  The  case  may  be  fonnd  at  length  in  3  John.  Rep.  115.  No  further  legal  proceedings 
were  taken. 

t  In  1808,  the  Newburgh  and  New  Windsor  turnpike  was  chartered,  connecting  at  New 
Windsor,  with  turnpikes  to  Cornwall  and  Monroe.  In  1810,  the  Newburgh  and  Sullivan 
turnpike  penetrated  the  heart  of  the  present  county  of  Sullivan;  and,  in  1812,  the  New- 
burgh and  Plattekill  turnpike  opened  to  the  Newburgh  market  a  rich  agricultural  secfiou 
of  southern  Ulster. 


SECOND   WAR  WITH  ENGLAND.  187 

various  enterprises,  the  cloud  of  war  again  darkened  the  national 
horizon.  Tlie  stirring  up  of  the  Indian  tribes  to  the  commission  of 
liostilities,  and  tlie  impressment  of  American  seamen,  were  followed, 
on  the  part  of  England,  by  the  fumous  Orders  in  Council,  which 
declared  that  all  American  vessels  going  to  and  frcjm  the  ports  of 
Prance  and  her  allies,  without  first  touching  at  or  clearing  from  an 
English  port,  should  be  considered  lawful  prizes.  These  orders  pro- 
voked the  Berlin  and  Milan  Decrees,  on  the  part  of  France,  by  which 
all  vessels  that  had  touched  at  an  English  port,  or  submitted  to  be 
searched  by  un  English  cruiser,  were  pronounced  to  be  the  property 
of  France;  while  Bi'itish  goods,  wherever  f(jnnd,  were  made  subject 
to  scnznre  and  confiscation. 

Under  such  circnnistances  the  ATuerican  govermnent  could  not 
remain  inactive,  oi-  allow  its  commerce  to  he  ruled  or  ruined  by  the 
policy  or  the  pride  of  Britain  or  ol'  France.  Accordingly  in  Decem- 
b(n',  1809,  congress  resolved  to  retaliate  by  laying  an  embargo  upon 
all  American  vessels  and  merchandise.  This  embargo  prohibited 
Am(!rit;an  vessels  froin  sailing  from  foreign  ports,  and  all  foreign 
ships  i'vom  currying  away  American  cargoes;  and  its  effect  was  sud- 
deidy  to  suspend  commerce,  to  expose  thousands  of  merchants  to  the 
risk  of  bankruptcy,  and  to  check  at  onc(!  the  flow  of  produce  from  the 
interior  to  the  sea-board — results  which  were  severely  felt  by  the 
people  and  which  tried  their  patriotism  to  the  utmost. 

But  while  these  measures — so  disastrous  to  our  trade  in  all  its 
branches,  and  which  issued  in  the  Second  War  of  Independence  with 
England — were  in  progress,  the  citizens  oi'  Newburgh  never  wavered 
in  their  devotion  to  their  country.  From  first  to  last,  by  resolutions 
passed  in  ccjnventions,  by  the  expression  of  their  sentiments  through 
the  ballot-box,  by  the  prompt  ofler  of  volunteers  and  by  the  contri- 
bution of  men  to  actual  service,  they  evinced  their  unflinching  pur- 
pose to  resist  the  "attacks  of  domestic  enemies,  and  the  insolent 
aggressions  of  foreign  powers."  The  first  formal  manifestation  of 
their  sentiments  occurred  in  1807,  when  the  local  militia  tendered 
their  services  to  the  governor  of  the  state,  as  volunteers.*  This  was 
followed  by  the  overwhelming  defeat  of  the  federal  party,  which  was 
charged  with  being  in  sympathy  with  the  English  (though  perhaps 
without  other  reason  than  its  hostility  to  the  war),  at  the  election  in 
1808.  In  March,  1809,  the  republicans  held  a  county  convention  at 
Goshen,  preparatory  to  the  state  election — Genl.  Hathorn,  chairman, 
and  Jonathan  Fisk,  Esq.,  Col.  John  Nicholson,  Genl.  Reuben  Hopkins, 
Capt.  Josiah  Brown,  and  Judge  White,  committee  on  resolutions — and 


*  Reference  is  made  to  the  "  Ropublican  Bines,"  a  company  of  Lipht  Infantry,  com- 
manded by  Alex.  Denniston. 


188  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

resolved,  "Tliat  we  vi(>\v  the  layino-  of  an  embarg-o  as  a  wise  and 
patriolie  measure,  iiujuMMously  demanded  by  tlio  exposed  condition  of 
our  seamen,  sliippiiii;-  and  trade,  to  the  audacious  outra,u-os  of  foreign 
powers — tliat  it  lias  saved  thousands  of  our  seamen  from  imprison- 
nuMit  and  slavery,  ami  millions  of  property  of  our  countrymen  i'vom 
capture  and  confiscation." 

The  convention  was  followed  by  anotluM'  representing-  the  federal 
party — Daniel  Xiven,  chairman,  and  John  Barber,  Alex.  K.  'fliompson, 
Alanson  Austin,  John  Bradner,  (i.  X.  Phillips.  John  Morrison,  .lolin 
Duer,  Samuel  Sayer,  Jonas  Storey,  Solomon  Sleight,  John  Decker  and 
Samuel  B.  Stickney,  committee  on  resolutions — which  resolved,  "That 
the  act  for  enforcing  the  enibargo,  passed  January  9th,  1809,  in  our 
deliberate  opinion,  is  unjust,  illegal  and  oppressive — subversive  of 
tlie  rights  and  dang(M-ous  to  the  liberties  oi'  the  people." 

The  issue  was  thus  tairly  joini'd,  and  the  electors  of  N(>wl»nrg]i 
responded  by  a  vote  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-seven  for  the  repub- 
lii'an,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  for  the  federal  candidates. 
WluMi  war  was  declared,  even  a  larger  majority  approved  the  act, 
holding  it  to  be  "just  and  necessary  to  redress  our  grievances  and 
avenge  our  violated  rights;"  and  this  pt)sition  they  continued  to 
maintain  until  peace  was  restored. 

Soon  after  tlu>  declaration  of  war,  the  hu-al  military  companies 
were  ordered  on  duty  and  stationed  at  Staten  Island;*  and,  at  a  later 
period,  Xewburgh  was  temporarily  made  the  rendezvous  oi'  the  com- 
panies of  Grenadiers,  Tjight  Infantry  and  Kitiemen  of  the  34th 
Brigade. f 

Among  the  numy  facts  which  showt'd  the  temper  of  the  people  of 
Xewburgh  during  the  war,  maybe  noticed  the  I'ontribution  oi  clothing, 
by  tlu'  ladies  ol'  the  village,  to  the  volunteers  in  service  on  the  northern 
frontiers;!  the  detestation  expressed,  on  all  public  occasions,  of  those 
who    sympathized    with    the   common   enemv,   or    who   esteemed  the 


*  The  coiiiiiuiiy  of  Artillery  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Heury  Bxittorworth,  and  the 
uniform  ooini)anios  of  Ijight  Infantry  under  the  oonnnand  of  Captains  Alexander  Deu- 
nistun  and  Charles  IMnlsall,  of  this  town,  have  been  ordered  by  his  exeellency  the  Gov- 
ernor, to  be  in  readiness  to  niareli  to  New  York  on  the  loth  inst. — Imle.r,  Ausr.ll,  1812. 

t  CiENKUAi,  OunEus- Albany,  Sejit.  1,  1813.— The  eoninanies  of  Grenadiers,  Li};ht  In- 
fantry and  Ritlenten  of  the  3-itli  Urifiade,  will  rendezvous  for  service  at  Newburgb,  on  the 
8th  September  inst..  at  ten  o"eloek  in  the  forenoon.     *     * 

+  NEwm-uoH,  Dee.  5.  1812.— '-Sm:  Aeeomiianying  this,  your  Excellency  will  find  a 
packa,sj;e  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  woolen  stockingrs  and  eijihty  mittens.  They  are  for- 
warded to  you  by  the  Ladies  of  this  villa,«;e,  with  the  request  that  you  will  send  "to  those 
of  the  Volunteer  corps  now  on  duty  on  our  northern  ti-ontiers  whoin  vour  excelU'iicv  mav 
suppose  to  be  most  in  want  of  tlieiu.  The  unremitting  attention  which  has  marked  yoiu- 
excellency's  conduct  since  the  declaration  of  war,  towards  the  protcctiim  of  otir  nortliern 
frontier  and  tnaratinie  coast,  and  your  constant  endeavor  to  alleviate  the  situation  of  our 
fellow  citizens  who  are  in  the  liiilitary  service,  will,  I  hope,  sufficiently  apologize  for 
troublin;:  you  with  thi'  disposition  i>f  this  small  tribute  of  respect  to  tliose  brave  and 
patriotic  defenders  of  their  country's  rights.  With  considerations  of  much  respect,  and 
esteem,  I  am  yours,  sincerely,  \V,  ROSS. 

Hin  Excellency,  Gov.  Tompkins.'' 


SECOND   WAR  WITH  ENGLAND.  189 


blossiiig's  of  peace  paramount  to  national  honor;*  and  tlio  v(!ry  spir- 
ited celebration  of  Perry's  victory  on  Luke  P]rie.  On  the  latter 
occasion,  the  trustees  of  the  villa.n'e  united  witli  ii  eoiiiiiiittee  of 
citizens,  viz:  Solomon  Slcig'ht,  Williiim  ]{oss,  Isaac  iielknap,  Jr., 
John  S.  Hunn,  John  Anderson,  John  Mandevill,  Seth  Belknap,  John 
W.  Morrell,  Jcjseph  Reeve  and  Hezekiah  Belknap.  The  natioiuil  Hag- 
was  displayed  in  all  public  places  in  the  village  and  from  tlic  masts 
of  the  vessels  lying  in  the  harbor;  there  was  a  public  collation  and 
sundry  patriotic  toasts  at  the  Newburgh  Coffec!  House,  and  a  pnj- 
cession  and  a  very  general  illumination  in  the  evening.  These 
arrangements  were  entered  into  heartily  by  all  classes  of  citizens, 
and  the  exercises  (m  the  occasion  were  long  held  in  remend)rance.f 

But  sadness  as  well  as  joy  entered  into  th(^  history  of  the  town 
during  the  war.  The  enibarg(j  act  detaiiic(l  in  foreign  jiorls  many 
American  vessels  manned  more  or  less  by  Newburgh  men,  whose 
uncertain  fate  catxsed  solicitude  in  no  small  circle  of  friends;  on  the 
ocean  American  merchantmen  were  captured,  and  among  their  crews 
who  languished  in  Dartmoor  prison  Newburgh  also  had  its  represen- 
tatives; mourning  for  his  untimely  fate  and  plaudits  for  his  heroic 
example  followed  the  announcement  of  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Ludlow, 
who,  standing  beside  the  gallant  Lawrence, On  th(!  deck  of  the  Chesa- 
peake, fought  the  English  ship  Shannon  (June,  1813),  and  who,  twice 
wound(;d  and  a  prisoner,  followed  the  body  of  his  commander  to  its 
grave  in  Halifax,  and  on  his  return  fell  from  his  cliair,  a  lifeless  corpse. 


*  One  of  the  resolutions  adopted  in  181.3,  is  mh  follows:  "  lieaa/ved,  That  we  consider  the 
tories  of  the  present  war  as  having  a  much  better  title  to  the  halter  than  the  tories  of  the 
revolution,  having  had  a  longer  time  to  get  weaned  from  their  iinnatural  mother." 

t  The  Political  fndex  of  September  30,  1813,  contams  a  lengthy  account  of  this  celebra- 
tion. "  Never,"  says  that  paper,  "  did  such  universal  joy  pervade  the  breasts  of  American 
citizens,  as  has  been  manifest<!(l  on  a  recent  occasion;  and  never  has  that  joy  been  more 
distinctly,  unequivocally  and  universally  expriissed  by  the  citizens  of  Newliurgh  and  its 
vicinity,  than  has  been  done;  on  rec(;iving  the  official  letters  announcing  the  late  affair  on 
Lake  Erie.  *  *  On  the  arrival  of  the  news,  a  federal  salute  was  fired  from  the  U.  S. 
corvette  .John  Adams,  moored  ojjposite  the  village,  which  vessel  was  decorated  vnth  the 
flags  of  different  nations  during  the  progrciss  of  the  celebration.  *  At  one  o'cloclf,  P. 
M.,  the  trustees  with  upwards  of  one  hundred  citizens,  partook  of  a  collation  at  the;  New- 
burgh Coffee  House,  after  which,  Josc^ph  Morrell  being  chosen  president,  and  Solomon 
Sleight,  vice  president,  toasts  were  drank,  and  a  song  written  for  the  occasion  by  the 
editor  of  the  Index,  was  sung  by  Joseph  Reeve.  *  *  At  seven  o'clock  P.  M.,  at  the 
signal  of  a  cannon,  all  the  windows  in  the  village  were  brilliantly  illuminated,  some  were 
ornamented  with  transparent  paintings  designative  of  Ihe  occasion;  others  inscribed  with 
the  names  of  our  naval  heroes,  whose  deeds  are  destined  to  illume  the  historic  page:  all 
of  which  had  a  handsome  effect,  and,  connected  with  the  occasion,  fin'd  the  soul  with  a 
proud  satisfaction  of  being  an  American,  and  made  the  conscious  heart  to  swell  with  fore- 
bodings of  the  rising  glory  of  America.  A  numerous  procession  of  citizens,  headed  by 
the  band  of  music,  now  marched  through  the  principal  streets  of  the  village.  At  nine 
o'clock,  the  lights  were  extinguished  and  the  village  enrobed  in  darkness." 

A  tradition  connected  with  this  celebration  relates,  that  the  official  news  of  Perry's  vic- 
tory was  brought  to  Newburgh  by  the  corvette  John  Adams,  referred  to  by  tlie  Itides,  and 
that  the  vessel  arrived  in  the  bay  on  Sunday  morning,  and  immediately  fired  a  salute. 
The  people,  many  of  whom  were  in  attendanci^  upon  divine  service,  wen;  in  great  con- 
sternation and  rushed  into  the  streets,  ftiarful  that  an  enemy's  vessel  had  passed  the 
Highlands  and  had  commenced  a  bombardment  of  the  village.  Presently,  the  Adams  ran 
up  the  "  stars  and  stripes,''  and  sent  a  boat  on  shore  with  the  n(!ws,  which  was  received 
with  cheer  after  cheer.     In  the  general  joy  the  Sabbath  was  forgotten. 


190  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

The  history  of  the  villag-e  and  of  tlie  town  were  marked  by  many 
incidents  of  more  or  less  moment  in  a  h)cal  and  temporary'  point  of 
view,  daring  the  early  part  of  the  century;  those  which  may  be 
regarded  as  of  historical  significance,  however,  were  few.  Among  the 
more  important  were  the  introduction  of  the  Baptist  and  the  Metho- 
dist churches,  the  reorganization  of  the  Episcopal  church,  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Theological  Seminary,  and  the  visit  to  the  village  of 
La  Fayette.  The  latter  event  was  the  occasion  of  public  exercises  in 
which  the  people  of  a  large  district  of  country  participated.  For  the 
purpose  of  making  suitable  arrangements  for  his  reception,  a  meeting 
was  held  at  the  Orange  Hotel  on  the  17th  August,  1824,  and  a  com- 
mittee appointed,  composed  of  the  "  members  of  the  corporation  of 
the  village  of  Newburgh,  together  with  William  Ross,  Selah  Reeve, 
John  D.  Lawson,  Ward  M.  Gazlay,  John  S.  Hunn,  Francis  Crawford, 
David  Ruggles,  Samuel  Williams,  John  W.  Brown,  Abraham  M.  Smith, 
Isaac  N.  Seymour,  Walter  Case,  Samuel  R.  Betts,  Leonard  Smith, 
Daniel  Smith,  Levi  Dodge,  John  Mandevill,  Lntlier  Halsey,  Edmund 
Griswold,  Thurston  Wood,  Joseph  Morrell,  William  Belknap,  John 
Belknap,  Eleazer  Gidney,  John  P.  Dodge,  and  Jonathan  Noyes."  From 
this  committee  a  delegation  was  sent  to  New  York  to  consult  the  Gen- 
eral, and,  in  pursuance  of  arrangements  for  that  purpose,  beacon  fires* 
on  the  mountains,  on  the  evening  of  the  13th  of  September,  announced 
that  the  visit  would  be  made  the  next  day.  The  streets  were  deco- 
rated with  arches  and  evergreens,  and  strewn  with  flowers;  inscrip- 
tions suspended,  and  the  village  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity  with 
j)e()ple;  four  companies  of  cavalry,  and  five  companies  of  infantry 
(under  command  of  Col.  John  VV.  Brown,)  performed  escort  duty. 
The  General  arrived  about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  on  the  14tli,  and 
was  escorted  to  the  Orange  Hotel,  where  the  addresses  of  welcome 
were  delivered.  At  abt)ut  9,  P.  M.,  he  attended  a  banquet  by  his 
Masonic  brethren  of  Hiram  Lt)dge,  where  he  was  received  with 
Masonic  honors  and  was  addressed  by  the  Rev.  John  Brown.  Supper 
was  served  at  12,  M.,  and  at  2,  A.  M.,  the  General  took  his  departure 
for  Poughkeepsie.f  The  lateness  of  the  hour  of  his  arrival  and  the 
shortness  of  the  time  of  his  remaining,  prevented  the  more  extended 
demonstrations  which  had  been  designed. 

The  general  progress  of  the  town  and  village,  from  1782  to  1820, 
is  shown  in  the  statement  that  the  increase  in  population  during  that 
period  averaged  a  fraction  over  one  hundred  annually,  or  about  eleven 
hundred  each  decade.     This  increase  may  be  regarded  as  the  result  of 

*  The  pyres  of  which  these  fires  were  made  were  thirty  feet  high,  and  their  appearance 
is  described  as  Vesuvian— "  reflected  from  shore  to  shore"  in  the  still  waters  of  the  Hudson, 
in  two  long,  trembling  columns." 

t  Gazette,  Sept.  18,  1824. 


BUSINESS  REVIEW.  191 


the  natural  advantages  of  position  which  the  town  enjoyed.  It  was 
a  period  during-  which  not  onl}'^  the  trade  of  the  large  district  adja- 
cent to  Newburgh,  but  a  very  considerable  portion  of  that  of  the 
southern  tier  of  counties,  found  here  its  natural  mart.  No  impulse, 
comparatively  speaking,  was  given  to  this  trade;  it  sprung  from  and 
was  the  result  of  the  laws  of  commerce.  In  1819,  the  trade  of  the 
village  had  extended  itself  as  far  west  as  Canandaigua,  with  which 
place  Newburgh  was  connected  by  turnpikes  over  which  passed  stage- 
coaches conveying  passengers,  and  freight  wagons  laden  with  goods. 
During  the  summer  of  this  yeai-,  a  company  was  organized  for  the 
purpose  of  constructing  a  steamer  on  Cayuga  lake,  with  a  view  to 
extend  the  route  southward  to  Ithaca.  The  first  meeting  of  the  stock- 
holders of  this  company  was  held  at  Ithica,  December  20th,  and  David 
Woodcock,  Oliver  Phelps,  James  Pompelly,  Joseph  Benjamin,  and 
Lewis  Tooker,  were  chosen  directors,  who  appointed  David  Woodcock, 
president;  Chas.  W.  Conner,  treasurer;  Chas.  Humphrey,  secretary, 
and  Oliver  Phelps,  agent.  To  this  enterprise  the  people  of  New- 
burgh were  asked  to  contribute  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars. 
Tliirteen  hundred  dollars,  however,  were  inmiediately  subscribed  and 
paid;  and,  in  1820,  the  first  steamer  on  Cayuga  lake  plied  in  connec- 
tion with  stage  lines  from  Newburgh,  "  performing  the  route  to  Ithica 
in  two  days."* 

This  western  trade,  however,  was  almost  wholly  cut  off  by  the  con- 
struction (A'  the  Erie  canal,  alth(jugh  considerable  travel  by  stage- 
coach continued  until  the  opening  of  rail-roads  through  the  center  of 
the  state.  In  common  with  other  towns  on  the  riv(M',  an  eff'ort  was 
made  by  the  citizens  of  Newburgh,  in  1825,  to  secure  the  construction 
of  a  Macadamized  state  road  from  Buffalo  to  the  Hudsf)n,  through  the 
s(juthern  tier  of  counties.  Tiie  proposition  was  favorably  received  by 
the  legislature,  and  commissioners  were  appointed  to  survey  the 
different  routes.  Strenuous  efforts  were  made  by  the  people  of  Cats- 
kill  and  Ponghkeepsie  to  secure  a  terminus  of  this  road  on  the  Hudson 
whicli  should  be  favorable  to  their  interests,  and  similar  steps  were 
taken  by  the  people  of  Newburgh  ;f  but  the  commissioners  reported 


*  This  line  was  subsequently  (1834)  extended  from  Newburgh  to  Geneva  and  Buffalo, 
and  the  entire  route  from  New  York  to  Buffalo  was  performed  in  sixty-five  hours—"  the 
shortest  and  most  expeditious  route  from  the  Hudson  river  to  the  western  country." — 
Adv.  in  Gazette. 

t  At  a  meeting  of  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  the  town  of  Newburgh,  held  at  the  Orange 
Hotel,  on  the  18th  of  January,  1826,  pursuant  to  previous  notice,  Thomas  Powell  was 
chosen  chairman,  and  Ward  M.  Gazlay,  secretary*. 

After  the  meeting  was  called  to  order,  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Fisk  addressed  it  in  an  able 
speech  demonstrating  the  propriety  and  expediency  of  the  state  road  terminating  at  this 
place.  Mr.  Buggies  and  other  gentlemen  addressed  the  meeting  on  the  same  subject,  and 
after  some  consultation,  it  was  resolved:  That  a  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  David 
Buggies,  Selah  Beeve,  Jonathan  Fisk,  Ward  M.  Gazlay,  and  Thomas  Phillips,  Jr.,  be 
appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  interests  of  this  place  in  relation  to  the  state  road. — Index, 
Jan.  20, 1826. 


192  ■  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

in  favor  of  Catskill.     The  bill  authorizing  the  making'  of  the  road, 
however,  was  defeated  in  the  legislature  in  March,  1826. 

The  effect  on  the  prosperity  of  Newbnrgh  of  the  construction  of 
the  Erie  canal,  and  the  opening-  of  other  new  routes  of  travel  to  the 
west,  is  shown  in  the  census  returns,  which  exliibit  a  reduction  in  the 
average  increase  in  population  to  six  hundred  and  twelve  during  the 
decade  ending  with  1830.  Notwithstanding  this  loss,  a  large  trade 
still  remained  with  the  south-eastern  counties  of  the  state  and  the 
north-eastern  counties  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania;  but,  like  the 
approaching  trenches  of  a  besieging  army,  the  influence  of  internal 
improvements  was  again  felt — the  Hudson  and  Delaware  canal  pene- 
trated this  district  and  bore  off  another  source  of  wealth  upon  which 
much  reliance  had  been  placed.  Efforts  were  made  to  repair  the  loss 
thus  sustained  by  the  organization  of  a  company  for  the  purpose  of 
engaging  in  the  whale  fishery,  and  by  endeavoring  to  secure  the 
establishment  here  of  a  government  navy-yard.  The  former  enter- 
prise, however,  met  with  limited  success,  and  was  abandoned;  and 
the  latter  failed  to  receive  the  attention  desired  at  the  hands  of  the 
federal  authorities. 

The  principal  trade  now  remaining  to  the  village  was  that  drawn 
from  north-eastern  New  Jersey  and  from  the  nearer  district  embracing 
the  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster;  but  this  trade  was  rapidly  increas- 
ing and  very  valuable.  The  years  1834,  '35,  '36  and  '37  wei'e  marked 
by  more  than  usual  business  activity.  Speaking  of  this  period,  the 
Rev.  James  R.  Wilson,  in  an  address  delivered  before  the  Newburgh 
Literary  Association  remarked:  "  The  average  arrivals  and  departures 
daily,  estimated  together,  cannot  fall  much  short  of  three  hundred,  or 
eighty-four  thousand  in  one  season.  The  sections  of  country  in  the 
interior,  occupied  by  these  travelers,  are  generally  connected  with 
this  village  by  some  commercial  ligament.  Great  numbers  of  them 
transact  much  business  here.  From  late  estimates  of  the  amount  (jf 
daily  exports,  from  Newburgh,  it  would  seem  that  in  one  season,  they 
cannot  fall  much  below  four  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars."* 

Perhaps  no  event  of  this  period  aroused  so  much  local  attention  as 
the  organization  of  the  Highland  Bank.  At  that  time  (1832-34,) 
banks  were  chartered  by  the  legislature,  and  were  regarded  as  part 
of  the  legitimate  spoils  of  political  parties — charters  being  given  to 
members  of  the  party  in  power,  who  in  turn  apportioned  the  stock 
among   their   associates.     The    charter   of  the   Highland   Bank  was 

*  Records  like  the  following  frequently  occur  in  the  village  papers  from  1834  to  1840: 
"  Yesterday,  Water  street  was  blocked  up  wth  country  teams  for  four  or  five  hours,  and 
twice  during  the  afternoon  thev  were  so  jammed  in  that  it  was  impossible  to  pass." — Tel- 
egraph, Nov.  13,  1834. 

"  We  learn  that  $300  per  foot  are  offered  for  vacant  lots  on  the  new  street  (Front  street), 
extending  north  from  the  whale  dock,  in  this  village."— Tei.,  Nov.  5,  1836. 


BUSINESS  REVIEW.  193 


measurably  within  tho  limits  of  this  rule,  althoug'h  the  petitions  for  it 
were  based  on  an  a|)parent  local  necessity  for  additional  banking' 
capital.  The  Bank  of  Newburgh,  established  twenty  years  before, 
and,  with  the  exception  of  the  Bank  of  Orange  County  at  Goshen,  the 
only  bank  in  the  district,  enjoyed  a  monopoly  of  the  banking  business 
of  a  large  section  of  country.  Its  stockholders  were  naturally  oppo- 
sed to  an  encroachment  on  the  privileges  which  had  been  granted  to 
them,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  remonstrate — assuming  that  it  was 
amply  able  to  supply  all  the  legitimate  commercial  discounts  that 
were  required;  that  no  further  l);inking  capital  was  necessary,  and 
that  the  "sole  object  of  many  of  the  petitioners  was  to  obtain  direc- 
torships."* But  the  petitioners  were  active  and  sent  from  New- 
burgh, Glenham,  Matteawan,  Walden,  Cornwall,  and  Monroe  a  formid- 
able list  of  advocates.  The  bill  was  vigorously  fought  in  the  legisla- 
ture— passed  the  assembly  and  was  defeated  in  the  senate  (April, 
1833).  At  the  succeeding  session  the  application  was  renewed  bj'  the 
petition  of  two  thousand  persons.  In  the  meantime  the  granting  of 
the  charter  was  made  a  question  in  the  choice  of  members  of  the 
assembly.  The  democratic  and  the  "national  republicans  "f  were 
then  the  parties  of  the  day;  but  the  introduction  of  the  question  of 
rechartering  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  changed  the  political 
associations  of  many,  among  others  that  of  Isaac  R.  Van  Duzer,  a 
rising  and  somewhat  distinguished  politician  of  the  county.  After 
having  been  twice  returned  to  the  assembly,  he  was  dropped  by 
the  democrats  and  immediately  taken  up  by  the  opposition.  |  A 
close  canvass  succeeded.  The  town  of  Minnisink,  which  had  given 
Jackson  417  majority,  followed  Van  Duzer's  lead  and  gave  him  426. 
Newburgh,  on  the  other  hand,  which  had  only  given  Jacksim  a  small 
majority,  cast  686  votes  for  Gilbert  0.  Fowler  and  the  democratic 
ticket  and  only  260  for  Van  Duzer— a  result  which  was  due  almost 
entirely  to  the  Highland  Bank  question,  and  which  secured  the  return 
to  the  legislature  of  Genl.  Fowler,  its  ]u-incipal  advocate.  With  a 
shrewdness  quite  common  in  later  days,  Fowler  made  the  granting  of 
the  charter  a  political  privilege.  Opposition  thus  became  hopeless; 
the  Bank  of  Newburgh  quietly  withdrew  an  application  which  it  had 
made  for  an  increase  of  capital,  and  the  charter  passed  the  assembly 
by  a  vote  of  109  to  4,  and  the  senate  by  27  to  3.  The  institution  was 
so(jn  successfully  organized,  and  proved  the  necessity  for  its  creation 
in  the  demands  for  accommodation  which  it  was  enabled  to  supply  to 
the  business  of  the  place. 


*  Communication  in  Telegraph,  Jan.  1832. 

t  The  opposition  to  the  democratic  party  assumed  the  name  of  "whigs"  in  1836. 
i  Hammond's  Political  History  of  New  York,  ii.  435. 

013 


194  llISTOliY  OF  NEWBUBOH. 


The  expansions  jind  spccnliitions  wliicli  swept  o\ov  llic  (•(Uintry  in 
1885-'37,  nnd  in  the  (iri^-in  of  whicli.  viewed  iVoni  one  stand-point,  tlie 
org'anization  oi'  the  llii^-ldand  I^ank  was  an  element,  were  not  without 
th(Mi'  iuHuenee  on  the  viUa,u-e;  ri'al  I'state  advanced  to  prices  wdiich,  in 
many  instances,  have  not  since  that  time  hi'cn  realized,  aiul  hnndr(>ds 
of  citi/,(Mis  found  themselvt^s  sudih'nly  eomparativcdy  ricli  by  a  process 
which  tliey  ditl  not  umhMstand;  Imt  neither  tiie  business  of  the  banks 
nor  of  tlie  viUau'e  was  materially  spei'ulative,  and  when  tlie  suspen- 
sions of  1S;?7  cam(>  on,  they  were  little  lelt  eNcejit,  oi'  course,  in  the 
immediate  channids  of  association  with  the  universally  depressed 
trade  and  commerce  ol'  the  nation,  and  in  the  locking"  up  of  bankiui;" 
capital  in  suspended  |)aper  and  extensions.  In  another  form,  the  his- 
tory o['  i7S()  repeated  itself:  instea(1  of  loaning'  bills  of  credit,  the 
W'ov  baid<iiig  law  gave  to  indi\idnals  the  power  to  convert  their  real 
estate  into  active  t-apital  by  its  mortgage  foi-  bills  ni'  circulation,  and 
Mr.  Thomas  Powell  and  others  associateil  under  it  and  establislieil,  in 
1S;>S.  tht-  Powell  Hank,  which  alVoided  relief  to  trade. 

It  was  during  this  periiul  that  the  const I'uct ion  of  the  X(>w  York 
and  Krio  railroad  was  conunenced,  and  the  K-gislature  was  asked  to 
aid  the  project  by  a  loan  of  the  creilit  of  the  state.  Previ.uis  to  this 
applii'ation,  the  citi/.(Mis  of  Newlnu-gh  had  secure(l  a  I'harter  for  a 
rc»ad  from  the  Hudson  \o  {\\v  Delaware  river,  with  a  view  to  I'l'ach  the 
coal  beds  o\'  Pennsylvania;  but  this  cliart(M-  had  lieen  ptM'initted  to 
bectnne  void.  When  the  loan  was  proposed,  an  etVort  was  made  to 
connect  the  Pidaware  and  Hudson  road  with  the  Krie.  and  thus  give 
to  Nowburg'li  the  eastern  terminus,  'riirough  local  jealousies  and 
bickerings  between  tlu'  leading  capitalists  of  Newburgli  and  of 
(loshen,  in  regard  to  the  route  which  sluuild  be  given  to  the  road, 
Newburgli  lost  the  pri/.i'  whii'h  her  people  hoped  to  grasp.*  The 
road  to  the  Delaware,  howt'ver,  was  recluirtered,  and  a  portion  ot"  the 
route  was  graded. 

Under  the  tuiancial  revulsions  of  1887.  wm-k  was  suspended  on  both 
the  Erie  and  the  Delaware;  but  on  the  former  it  was  soon  resumed 
and  the  road  completed  from  Picrmont  to  (loshen.  The  eft'eet  of  the 
opening  o\'  this  section  was  even  more  disastrous  to  Newburgli  than 
had  been  anticipated.  The  ci'usiis  returns,  which,  for  the  decade 
ending  with  the  year  1840,  had  exliibited  an  incn>asc  in  population  of 
twenty-live  hundred  and    nine,  ga\e   only  sixty-eight   as   the   incr(>as(> 


*  They  have  a  tradition  in  Ooslion  tli:\t  Mv.  Tliomas  rowill  iusistoil  tliat  tl>o  road  sliould 
conio  to  Nowlmvixli  wiili.uit  passinu:  tln-oiii;li  Ciosln-ii;  that  (u'ul.  Wii-khani  lield  tliat  it 
shiuild  pass  tiirouuili  Ctoslu'n  and  slioiild  not  i-onio  to  Nowlmrsh  ;  tliat  IMr.  rowoll  rofusod 
to  i-onipromiso,  and  tliat  (lonl.  Wickliani  canii'il  liis  itoint  tliruntrli  tlio  aid  of  ^Villialn  H. 
Soward.  For  tlio  tnitli  of  tlio  traiiition  wo  do  not  ^dn^dl  :  tllo  rionnont  and  (ioslioii 
routo  was  otTtaiiily  adojjted  -tlio  riorniont  terminus  most  uiiwisi'lv  ;  a  rosult  tliat  might 
lUM-liaps  have  boon  avortod  had  the  poojdc  ot  tlio  ooniUy  aotod  in  harmony. 


BUSINESS  BEVIEW.  195 


for  the  five  years  ending  witli  1845.     Real  estate  fell  off  one   lialf  in 
value,  and  depression  |)ervaded  all  branches  of  business.* 

At  this  time  diftieuitic^s  arose  in  the  prosecution  of  the  work  on  the 
Erie  road,  and  fresli  efforts  were  niad(>  to  secure  to  Newburgh  some 
of  tlie  advantages  of  its  construction.  This  was  accomplished  by 
an  agreement  on  the  part  of  tlie  Erie  company — confirmed  by  an  act 
of  the  legislature  releasing  the  company  from  its  liabilities  to  the 
state — to  construct  a  branch  road  to  Nevvburgh.  This  road  was  com- 
pleted in  1849,  and,  with  the  Erie,  was  the  beginning  of  the  railroad 
system  which  now  so  c-.ompletely  bisects  and  intersects  the  county — 
literally  ct)vering  it  with  a  net-work  of  irtui  rails — the  second  link  in 
which  was  tht'  Warwick  Branch  road,  a  fec^der  of  the  Erie  and  of 
the  Newburgli  Branch;  the  tliird,  the  Montgomery  and  Erie,  con- 
necting witii  the  latter  at  (Joshen;  the  fourth,  the  Pine  Island  and 
Erie,  connecting  at  Gosh(m;  the  fifth,  the  Newburgli  and  New  York, 
(Short-cut),  conn('ctiug  with  tlm  Erie  in  Monroe;  the  sixth,  the  Wall- 
kill  Valley,  coniuH^ting  with  tlie  Montgomery  and  Erie;  the  seventh, 
the  Unionville  Brancli,  connecting  at  Middletown  ;  the  eighth,  the 
Crawford  and  P]rie,  connecting  at  Middletown;  the  ninti),the  Oswego 
Midland,  connecting  at  Middletown;  the  tenth,  tlie  i\lontic(dlo  and  Port 
Jervis,  connecting  at  Port  Jervis;  and  the  eleventh,  the  N.  J.  Midland, 
sweeping  the  south-west  border  of  the  county.  With  the  exception  of 
the  W^arwick  and  the  Short-cut,  this  system,  while  affording  unsur- 
passed facilities  for  intercourse  between  most  of  the  towns  of  the 
county,  has  been  detrimental  to  the  business  of  Newburgli — the  Wall- 
kill  Valley  and  the  Crawford  roads  especially  so,  the  former  repeating, 
with  I'cference  to  the  trade  ol'  southern  Plster  and  a  portion  of  east- 
ern Orange,  the  experience  of  the  Erie  with  that  of  westei'n  districts. 
While  to  some  extent  this  loss  has  been  replaced  from  other  sources, 
th((  ancient  trade  ol'  tiie  phu'c  has  as  certainly  ceased  forever  as  has 
the  ancient  mode  of  transit.  The  lines  of  farmers'  wagons  and  their 
stores  of  butter  and  pork,  have  alike  entered  the  domain  of  history. 

Without  the  linaneial  ability  to  so  control  the  enterprise  of  other 
conmunnties  as  to  render  the  modei'ii  avenues  of  communication  which 
they  have  constructed  tributary  to  the  interests  of  Newburgh,  the 
capitalists  and  business  men  of  the  place  have  made  a  bold  struggle 
for  years  against  the  combinations  which  have  threatened  its  over- 
throw. At  each  succ'cssive  stage  of  the  changes  growing  (»ut  of  the 
general  devcdopment  of  the  country,  successive  generations  have  met 
the  requirements  which  have   been   laid   upon   them.     The  labor,  the 


■*  Mr.  Eager,  writing  at  this  period,  remarks:  "Such  woro  the  deadening  influences  of 
the  construction  of  this  road,  tor  a  few  years,  that  it  prostrated  the  busini'ss  of  the  place. 
Houses  were  tenantless,  men  shut  \i\)  their  shops  and  removed  to  more  favorable  locah- 
ties,  and  the  whole  trade  of  the  mechanic  arts  stood  still." 


iy(;  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

liberality,  and  the  capital  which  was  necessary  in  1801,  to  carry  the 
Cochecton  turnpike  to  completion,  was,  considering'  the  comparative 
value  of  capital  and  labor,  ecpial  to  that  involved  in  the  construction 
of  any  railroad  in  the  ctinnty.  But  it  was  not  the  only  undertaking- 
of  that  character:  its  capital  of  $12(5, ()00,  was  followed  by  a  capital 
of  $5,000  in  the  New  Windsor  turnpike,  $90,000  in  the  Newburgh 
and  Ulster  turnpike,  $35,000  in  the  Newburgh  and  Sullivan  turnpike, 
$14,000  in  th(>  Newluugh  and  Plattekill  turnpike,  and  $14,000  in  the 
8nake-hill  turnpike — making  a  total  of  $284,000  (>xpend(Ml  for  roads 
prior  to  1820.  This  sum  was,  of  course,  shared  to  some  extent  by 
residents  along  tlie  lines  oi'  the  roads,  but  the  greater  part  was  drawn 
from  Newburgh.  The  expenditure  on  the  abandoned  Delaware  rail- 
road was  undertaken  single-handed;  and  was  followed  by  a  subscrip- 
tion to  the  coustnu'tion  of  the  Erie  Hrant-li  of  one-third  its  cost,  and 
an  additional  sum  of  $145,000  by  lo;ni  or  endorsements.  Scarce  had 
this  requirement  bi'eii  nn't  when  the  construction  of  plank-roads  to 
Kllenville  and  to  Shawauguidv  were  undertaken,  involving  an  expen- 
diture of  about  $150,000;  and  further  i-apital  was  drawn  out  for  the 
Warwick  Branch  and  for  the  Puchess  and  Columbia  railroad.  On  all 
this  expenditure  but  a  single  bonded  debt  ($10,000)  remains.  The 
wondiT  is  not  that  so  little,  but  tliat  so  mucli  has  been  done;  that  in 
the  struggles  of  half  a  century  the  place  has  not  been  remanded  to 
the  comparative  desolation  which  has  overtaken  other  communities, 
rather  than  to  have  maintained  a  certain  and  substantial  growth. 

Sharing  to  some  extent  in  the  ventures  which  were  followed  by  the 
panic  of  1857,  the  busin(>ss  of  the  village  was  more  or  less  affected 
by  the  revulsions  of  that  period;  but  this  was  due  to  outside  associa- 
tions, rather  than  to  local  causes,  and  though  for  a  time  the  embar- 
*  rassment  of  a  single  firui,  largely  interested  in  several  commercial 
and  mechanical  enterprises,  threatened  general  disaster,  that  result 
was  happily  averti>d.  A  singl(>  wreck,  if  such  it  may  be  called,  of 
any  considerable  magnitude,  was  thrown  upon  the  shore — the  Powell 
Bank — not  because  of  its  insolvency,  but  through  the  necessity  of 
employing  its  capital  in  other  channels,  a  change  which  was  effected 
without  loss  to  tlie  public.  The  general  business  of  the  village  soon 
resumed  its  activity,  and  the  decade  closed  with  prosperity. 

The  local  incidents  of  tlie  succeeding  decade,  embracing  principally 
the  war  o\'  the  rt'bellion,  have  their  record  in  the  publications  of  the 
times,  and  need  not  be  rept'ated.  For  over  four  years,  in  the  going 
luMice  and  in  the  return  of  volunteers, 

"lu  the  town — through  every  street, 
Tramp,  tramp,  went  the  feet;" 

every  church-spire  became  a  staff  from  which  Hoated  the  national  flag, 


WAR    OF  THE  REBELLION.  197 


and  every  pulpit  its  forum;  the  duties,  the  anxieties  which  the  conflict 
imposed  entered  into  the  daily  life  of  the  community.     In  their  con- 
tributions to  the  prosecution  of  the  war,  it  cannot  be  said  that  the 
people  of  Newburg-h  faltered  in  sustaining  the  constitutional  govern- 
ment.    Growing  out  of  political  issues  which  had  divided  parties  in 
some  degree  for  half  a  century,  the  discussion  of  the  questions  which 
the  war  evolved  was  more  or  less  tinged  with  political'  associations 
during  its  entire  progress,  and  many  men  were  prejudiced   or   ex- 
alted at  the  behest  of  factions;  but  the  underlying  sentiment  of  the 
great  mass   of  the   community  was  with  the    government.      Before 
the  drums  of  the  conflict  had  begun  the  call  for  volunteers,  the  first 
company  of  men  in  the  subsequent  forces  of  the  state  was  in  organi- 
zation,* and  in  rapid  succession  other  organizations  followed,  anticipa- 
ting or  redeeming  the  fullest  requirement  of  the  national  and  state 
authorities.     Briefly  recapitulated,f  these  organizations  were:  1.  Com- 
pan}^  B,  3d  regiment,  recruited  in  March  and  April,  1861;  2.  Company 
B,  36th  regiment,  recruited  in  May  and  June,  1861 ;  3.  Company  I, 
list  regiment  militia,   recruited  principally  from  company  L,    19tli 
regiment;  4.  Companies  A  and  B,  and  parts  of  C,  D,  and  G,  56th  regi- 
ment,  recruited    between  July  and   October,   1861;    5.  The  Saventh 
Independent  Battery,  in  part,  recruited  with  56th  regiment;  6.  Com- 
panies D,  E,  F,  I  and  L,  19th  regiment  militia;  miscellaneous  enlist- 
ments, prior  to  July,  1862,  one  hundred  and  eleven.     Under  the  calls 
of  July  and  August,  1862,  410  men  were  required  from  the  town,  and 
501  furnished,  211  of  whom  were  enrolled  in  the  124th,  and  166  in 
the    168th  regiment.     The  call  of  July,   1863,  required  443  men,  of 
whom  90  were  furnished;  but  it  was  merged  in  the  calls  of  October, 
1863,  and  of  February,  March,  and  July,  1864,  i-equiring  156 — num- 
ber furnished,  821,   of  whom    11    were    not   credited.     The  total  of 
enlistments  (including   reenlistments)  was    2250 — the  total  of  men 
required  1226.     The  public  subscriptions  and  loans  of  the  town  (in- 
cluding at  that  time  the  village),  for  the  promotion  of  enlistments  and 
for  bounties,  were:   1861,  by  individual  subscriptions  $1,385,  bonds  of 
the  village  $5,000;  1862,  individual  subscriptions  $11,512;  1864,  town 
bonds  $115,100 — total,  $204,991.     In  addition  to  this  sum,  the  town 
expended  for  special  relief   (1863-'4),   $1,015.50;    expended    by  aid 

*  The  following  is  a  copy  of  tlie  first  recruiting  handbill  issued  in  Newburgh.  The  vol- 
unteers enlisted  under  it  wore  included  in  Co.  B,  3d  regiment,  Capt.  S.  W.  FuUerton,  Jr. 

"  To  Akms  !  To  Arms  !  A  recruiting  office  has  been  opened  at  the  office  of  Fullertou  ik 
Van  Wyck,  corner  Second  and  Water  streets,  Newburgh,  for  the  purpose  of  (enlisting  a 
company  of  Voliuiteers,  in  pursuance  of  the  provisions  of  the  act  passed  April  !(!,  18G1, 
entitled"  An  Act  to  authorize  tlut  equipment  of  a  Volunteer  Militia  and  to  provide  for  the 
public  defense."  Two  hundred  able-bodied  nu^n  wanted,  who  will  be  armed,  equipped 
and  paid  by  the  state.  JAMES  A.  RANEY,  lleeruiting  Officer." 

Dated  April  17, 1861. 

t  Details  are  reserved  for  a  subsequent  chapter,  not  only  in  regard  to  military  organi- 
zations but  other  matters  connected  with  the  war. 


li^g  mSTORY  OP   KEWBVBOn. 

society  and  in  contributions  to  the  Christian  Commission,  $12,387.31 
raising-  the  total  to  $218,459.81.  and  the  furtlior  sum  of  $321,320*  for 
special  income  and  internal  r(>venue  taxes  to  Januarj'  1,  1865— a 
o-i-and  total  of  $539,719.81. 

The  sacrifices  imposed  on  the  town  by  the  war  were  not  without 
their  compensations.  The  depressions  in  business  incident  to  the 
suspensions  of  trade  and  the  derangements  of  mechanical  and  com- 
mercial enterprise,  were  succeeded  b}^  activity  in  the  channels  which 
the  war  developed;  speculation  became  rife;  the  prices  of  real  estate 
and  tli(^  C(Mnpensatioii  o{'  labor  were  g'reatly  enhanced;  the  expan- 
sions or  inflations  of  the  times,  illcg-itimate  and  unsubstantial  though 
they  may  have  been,  marked  their  career  in  monujnents  of  substantial 
prog'ress.  Born  of  the  impulses  of  the  new  era,  the  village  passed 
(April  "22, 1865,)  to  incorporation  as  the  City  of  NEWBrRon,  and  elected 
its  first  mayor  and  a  common  council;  a  visible  police  was  estab- 
lished; the  streets  were  given  location  and  bounds  by  commissioners 
for  that  purpose;  the  facilities  for  public  education  were  multiplied; 
the  abocU's  of  meclianies  and  artisans  were  mad*'  to  vio  with  tliost^  of 
the  woaltliy  of  preceding  generations;  the  liomcs  of  tlio  wealthy  to 
emulate  the  palaces  of  Europe.  Perhaps  many  of  these  results  were 
in  advance  of  the  necessities  of  the  day  and  infiicted  subsequent  detri- 
UKMital  burdens  on  the  community;  nevertheless  were  they  the  out- 
growth of  the  war. 

Old  things  liave  indeed  passed  away,  and  all  things  liave  become 
new.  The  old  Bank  of  Xewburgh,  and  the  building  inmiediately 
opposite,  are  the  otdy  structures  that  remain  of  those  which  graced 
Water  street  half  a  century  ago.  One  by  one,  by  removal  or  by 
fire,  the  wooden  buildings  of  the  Orange  Hotel  block,  and  those  on 
the  same  side  of  the  street  as  far  as  the  old  stand  of  Joseph  Hoflnian, 
which  was  the  last  to  fall  before  the  march  of  improvement, f  gave 
place  to  those  of  the  present;  while  fire  swept  off  the  stores  on  the 
east  side  from  Third  street  south  to  the  middle  of  the  block,  and  from 
First  street  north  to  the  brick  building  south  of  the  Highland  Bank.| 
Reviewing  these  changes  in  general  terms,  it  may  be  remarked  that 
the  vicinity  of  Colden's  gore  was  the  original  business  center  of  the 
city;  and  when  the  Bank  of  Newburgh  was  chartered,  an  effort  to 

*  Partly  estimated.    The  totals  in  some  other  instances  are  less  than  the  actual  amounts. 

t  That  venerable  old  wooden  building,  on  the  corner  of  Water  and  Second  streets,  with 
its  humble  front  and  moss-covered  roof— its  sign  of  a  sheaf  of  wheat,  denoting  its  occu- 
pant as  one  wlio  furnishes  the  stall"  of  life— luis  been  knocked  into  rubbish  \inder  the 
mipulse  of  imiirovement.  After  having  served  nearly  half  a  century  as  a  place  of 
business  to  that  patriarch  among  our  citizens,  Joseph  Horthian,  it  has  had  to  move  the 
way  of  many  sublunary  things,  to  make  room  tor  a  more  costly  and  elegant  specimen  of 
art.  Workmen  are  now  employed  in  laying  the  foundation  of  a  substantial  brick  edifice 
on  a  spot  which  so  long  sustained  the  old  yellow  wooden  bnilding  and  around  which  were 
clustered  so  many  associations  connected  witli  the  history  of  Newburgli.  — 7W.  ■luly  15,  1841 

:}  The  account  of  these  and  other  tires  will  be  given  iii  u  subsequent  chapter. 


GENERAL  SUMMARY. 


199 


locate  the  banking  house  there,  was  only  defeated  by  a  majority  of 
one  vote  in  the  board  of  directors.  In  1812,  the  stores  on  the  west 
side  of  the  gore  were  erected  and  were  occupied — counting  from 
First  street  north — the  tirst  by  James  Denniston,  the  second  by  Selah 
Reeve,  the  third  by  Lott  &  Chambers,  the  fourth  by  John  Aiiderson, 
Jr.,  the  fifth  by  Samuel  Williams,*  and  the  sixth  by  William  H.  Smith, 
beyond  which  came  the  old  stand  of  James  W.  Milh'r.  On  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  street  was  the  brick  store  of  Jacob  Carpenter,  then 
occupied  A.  Gourlay  &  Co.,f  now  the  corner  of  Water  and  Carpenter 
streets,  and  beyond  this,  on  the  corner  of  the  old  road  to  Gardner's 
dock,  was  the  brick  store  of  Chauncey  Griswold,  while  at  the  head 
of  the  gore  stood  the  old  Colden  house.  Water  street  was  then  ex- 
tended south,  and  the  Colden  house  falling  partly  within  its  line,  was 


WATER   STREET   FROM   COLDEN'S    GORE — 1859. 

removed;  and  about  the  same  time  the  old  road  to  Colden's  dock 
was  closed,  and  First  street  opened.  Soon  after,  John  T).  Lawson 
erected,  on  the  north-east  corner  of  First  street,  a  block  of  wooden 
buildings,  which  were  destroyed  by  fire  and  were  succeeded  by  the 
ware-house  of  Daniel  Farrington  and  other  stores.     These  buildings 

*  American  Manufactured  Goods.— The  subscriber  respectfully  informs  the  public 
that  he  has  opened  a  store  in  Colden  street,  where  he  has  a  general  assortment  of  Cotton 
Goods,  which  he  will  sell  at  the  factory  prices  for  cash  or  approved  credit — among  which 
are,  Bed  ticking,  Ginghams,  Stripes  of  dillerent  kinds,  &c.  Nitting,  twist  and  colored  Yarn 
from  No.  5  to  iO,  a  general  assortment  of  European,  East  and  West  India  goods,  which  he 
will  sell  on  advantageous  terms  to  the  purchaser.  S.  WILLIAMS. 

Newburgh,  June,  1812.— ^4 c/u.  in  PolUical  hidex. 

t  A.  GouRLAY  it  Co.,  have  removed  to  Capt.  Jacob  Carpenter's  brick  store,  in  Water 
street,  where  they  are  now  opening  a  very  general  assortment  of  Dry  Goods. — Adv. 


200  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


were  also  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  present  block  took  their  place. 
About  1835,  the  Colonnade  Row  was  erected  by  Col.  James  Denniston, 
and  the  banking-  house  of  the  Highland  Bank  by  John  Ledyard.  The 
fine  building  adjoining-  the  Highland  Bank  on  the  south  was  erected 
by  John  Flanagan.  The  buildings  on  the  east  side  of  Water  street, 
soutli  of  Third,  were  erected  by  Messrs.  Reeve  &  Falls,  John  Lawson, 
John  Jamison,  John  Clugston,  and  Samuel  G.  Sneden,  and  the  block 
was  completed  in  its  present  form  by  Benjamin  Tyler.  On  the  west 
side  of  Water  street,  between  Second  and  Third,  the  first  brick  ht)use 
was  built  by  John  Brown,  an  Irish  refugee  of  the  rebellion  of  1798, 
and  was  subsequently  occupied  by  his  sons,  John  and  James  S. 
Brown;  the  buildings  from  thence  nortli  to  Tliird  street,  including  the 
old  store  of  John  McAuley,  gave  place  to  tlie  present  structures, 
erected  by  William  Walsh,  C.  A.  Jones,  and  others.  On  the  east  side 
of  the  street,  the  Messrs.  Crawford  erected,  in  1827,  the  buildings  now 
standing  on  the  north-east  corner  of  Third  street,  the  upper  part  of 
the  second  of  which  was  occupied  as  part  of  the  Mansion  House 
adjoining  on  the  north;  the  brownstone  front  was  erected  b}^  A.  K. 
Chandler  on  the  site  of  a  portion  of  the  cn-iginal  Mansion  House.* 
The  succeeding  brick  stores  were  erected  by  Eli  Hasbrouck,  John 
Farnara  (1832),  and  William  L.  Smith;  John  P.  DeWint  filled  up  the 
street  leading  to  his  wharf  with  the  building,  now  102  Water  street; 
the  old  Farmer's  Hotel  of  Benjamin  Case,  corner  of  Water  and  Fourth, 
gave  place  to  the  present  structure  erected  by  Cornelius  C.  Smith.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  John  P.  DeWint  erected  the  buildings 
between  the  Orange  Hotel  and  the  Bank  of  Newburgh,  in  place  of 
the  wooden  block  destroyed  by  fire  in  1837;  Jacob  and  Sebring 
Fowler  erected  the  Fowler  drug  store,  and  Gardiner's  old  Newburgh 
Coffee  House  "f"  gave  place  to  the  more  substantial  structure  on  the 
corner.  Between  Fourth  and  South  streets,  on  the  west  side,  there 
was  but  one  brick  ht)use  as  late  as  1837;  that  was  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  John  D.  Lawson.     A  blacksmitli  shop  succeeded;  a  stone- 


*  The  Mansion  House  was  erected  by  Hugh  Walsh  (ante  p.  181)  about  1798.  It  was  one 
of  four  buildings  erected  by  him,  the  second  being  now  No.  100  Water  street,  the  third 
that  on  the  north-west  corner  of  Water  and  Fifth  street,  and  one  on  Western  Avenue. 
They  were  all  of  the  hipped-roof  style  of  architectviro.  The  Mansion  House  is  now  rep- 
resented by  Nos.  86  and  88  Water  street.  Its  original  bar-room  is  now  No.  Si.  Its  use  as 
a  hotel  was  discontinued  in  1834,  when  it  was  oflered  at  auction  sale,  as  appears  from  the 
following  notice  in  the  Teleijrnph  in  March  of  that  year  :  "  Col.  David  Crawford  offered  at 
auction  sale,  -Jan.  29th,  1834,  three  lots  on  Water  street,  17x75  feet  (the  old  Mansion  House 
property).  The  north  lot  brought  M,900,  the  next  $4,525;  the  sale  of  the  third  was  stop- 
ped, the  owner  regarding  the  price  too  low." 

t  An  advertisement  in  the  Kights  of  Man,  Jan.  6,  1800,  offering  this  property  for  sale, 
supplies  the  following  description  of  it  and  its  surroundings  at  that  time:  "An  elegant 
well  built  three  story  house,  and  another  adjoining  it,  known  by  the  name  of  the  New- 
burgh Coffee-room  and  Cott'ee-house ;  also,  a  commodious  kitchen  round  the  corner,  a 
good  well  of  water  with  a  pump  before  the  front  door.  Said  houses  are  situated  on  the 
corner  of  Water  street  and  Fourth  street,  opposite  to  the  public  ferry."  There  were  no 
buildings  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  and  the  river  flowed  over  Front  street. 


GENERAL   SUMMARY.  201 


yard,  and  the  residences  of  Uriah  Lockwood  and  Mr.  Purdy,  the 
latter  on  the  corner  of  Water  and  Fifth;  two  or  three  frame  bnildings 
came  next,  and  the  barn  of  David  M.  DuBois,  and  a  high  garden 
wall  iilled  out  the  corner  of  Water  and  South.  The  present  struc- 
tures were  placed  there  by  Jacob  Brown,  who  also  erected  the  block 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street;  from  whence  south  to  Fifth  no 
material  chang-e  has  been  made  for  years.  The  building  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  Fifth  and  Water  is  a  modern  structure,  and  soon  after 
its  erection  the  upper  part  was  finished  for  a  lodge  room,  at  very  con- 
siderable expense,  by  Orange  County  Lodge,  I.  0.  of  0.  F.  An  old 
wagon-wright's  shop  adjoining  was  removed  soon  after  by  Edward 
Wait;  James  McCann's  hotel  is  now  a  store;  Robert  Gardiner's  con- 
fectionery remains;  the  north-west  corner  of  Fourth  and  Water  was 
the  residence  of  William  Seymour. 

Front  street  was  opened  in  1833,  and  was  mainly  the  river  front 
filled  in  except  where  covered  by  docks,  which,  by  its  construction, 
were  extended  to  the  east  side.  Prior  to  that  time  the  extensive 
brewery  of  Law,  Beveridge  &  Co.  had  been  erected  on  the  river 
side;  the  Messrs.  Crawford  erected  their  large  store-house  in  1828,* 
and  a  similar  building  was  put  up  by  Benjamin  Carpenter  in  1829. 
The  latter  is  now  included  in  the  store-house  of  Homer  Ramsdell  & 
C(j.,  and  the  former  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1873.  In  1833,  Isaac  R. 
Carpenter  commenced  the  erection  of  the  United  States  Hotel  and  the 
construction  of  the  long  wharf ;f  the  latter  was  graced  with  a  pas- 
senger house  and  the  most  famous  bell  on  the  river.  Previous  to  that 
time  the  landing  was  near  the  east  line  of  Front  street;  it  was  here 
tliat  the  Chief-justice  Marshall  horrified  the  town  by  the  explosion  of 
iier  steam-chest.  South  of  First  street  was  the  old  Colden.-Denton,- 
Gardner,-Powell  store-house  and  wharf,  the  birthplace  of  the  steamers 
Highlander  and  Thomas  Powell,  whose  reputations  have  been  pre-  • 
served,  while  those  of  the  Baltimore,  the  Legislator,  the  Providence, 
the  William  Young,  the  James  Madison,  the  Superior  and  the  Wash- 
ington, have  passed  away  with  the  purpose  which  the}'  filled.  The 
original  store-house  was  destroyed  by  fire;  its  successor  was  removed 


*  "Among  the  improvements  of  the  present  season,  we  ought  not  to  forget  the  substan- 
tial and  commodious  ware-house  erected  bj'  the  Messrs.  Crawford,  as  it  seems  to  indicate 
that  the  increase  of  business  in  the  village  requires  extended  accommodations." — Index, 
Oct.  18,  1828. 

t  "The  improvements  on  the  Ferry  Wharf  are  on  the  most  extensive,  and,  we  might 
almost  term  it,  magnificent  scale.  This  wharf  is  being  constructed  by  Col.  I.  R.  Carpen- 
ter, and  is  to  be  extended  to  the  utmost  limits  warranted  by  the  State  grant  of  the  land 
under  water,  that  is  to  say  live  hundred  feet  from  high  water  mark.  Its  increased  breadth 
at  the  outer  extremity,  one  hundred  fi^et,  will  add  much  to  the  convenience  and  safety  of 
passengers  going  on  board,  or  landing  from  the  steamboats;  while  the  splendid  new  hotel 
which  Col.  C.  is  also  erecting  at  the  junctitm  of  the  wharf  with  the  main  land,  will  not 
only  otter  a  noble  object  to  all  who  pass  the  village  on  the  river,  but  will  be  of  essential 
comfort  to  persons  waiting  for  steamboats,  or  whose  business  confines  them  to  the  water's 
side." 


202 


HIsrORY  OF  NmVBURCrll. 


ami  iin'orporattnl  with  lliat  of  C'arjxMilcr's  in  the  cstaMishnicnt  now 
o{'  HoiiuM'  Ixaiiisdoll  »!<c  Co.  South  o['  tlio  Powell  wharf  was  (hat  oi' 
tho  Nowhmg-h  Whaling-  Company,  whoso  niassivo  store-house  in  the 
rear  on  Water  street  is  now  a  l>rewi>ry.  .Vdjoiniiiii-  the  latter  the 
river  front  was  unoeeupied  exeept  by  a  sing-h^  tislu'ruian's  dwelling- 
and  reels;  then  eanii'  the  docking  venture  of  John  W.  Wells;  then 
the  large  briek  house  (destroyed  by  tire  a  few  years  ag-o")  known  as 
the  Hath  Hotel,  built  by  Thomas  Colden  as  a  resort  for  invalids  in 
ipi(>st  o{'  \\ic  pure  air  north  o(  tlu>  Highlands;  then  the  old  "  Ked 
Store-hous(\"  on  a  wharf  in  part  constrnettnl  bv  -lonathaii  llasbrouck 


.SOUTH-KAST   VIEW   OF    SKWIU'EHH — 1K3S. 

prior  to  the  war  o['  \\\c  !\evolutioii,  and  ai  whieii  the  liai'g-(>s  o['  (JtMil. 
Washington  were  inoort'd  whiU'  he  oeeupied  the  llaslu'onek  house; 
and  tinally  tlu'  brtnvery  of  James  Kenwiek,  on  the  Higler  wharf,  whose 
proprietor  founded  there  a  small  city,  with  a  ehureh  and  a  few  dwell- 
ings, and  an  innumerable  number  of  lots  and  streets  now  uuiinlv 
traced  in  legal  reeiu'ds.  Neither  Western  AviMiue  nor  Colden  street 
were  opened  through  until  after  the  eommeneenient  ol'  the  present 
century.  The  t'ornit-r  was  tirst  occupied  by  tiie  Cochecton  Turnpike 
Company,  who  cut  a  road-bed  four  rods  wide  through  the  blntV  west 
of  Colden  street.  This  cut  was  long  known  as  the  ■"ilug-way,"  and 
the  plateau  on  either  side  was  unoccupied  until  the  Carpenter  foundry 
was  erected  on  the  corner  of  (xrand  strmn.  A  frame  hot«d  and  stable 
occupied  the  coriun-  on  Colden  street  for  nt>arly  half  a  century,  and  on 
the"i>pposite  side  o\'  {\\c  avemu*  was  a  steam  grist  mill  and  a  black- 
smith shop.  Near  llit>  north  end  o['  ColdiMi  street  was  the  rude  stone 
tavern  ki>pt  by  Thomas  Cardner — a  building-  as  old  as  iiead-tpuirters, 
and  the  birthplace  of  (nud.  Gardutn- ot' the  Confedtu-ate  service  in  com- 
mand at  Tort  Hudson  ii\  the  war  {A'  tlu'  rebi>llion.      None  o\'  the  busi- 


GENERAL  SUMMARY.  203 


ness  streets  of  the  city  have  been  ihdi-c   improvc^d,  during-  tlic  past 
tw('nty-fiv(^  years,  unles8  it  be  Front  street. 

But  without  further  specification,  the  assertion  is  justified,  tliat  the 
resident  of"  even  forty  years  a^'o  would  now  fail  to  recog'nize  Front 
street,  Water  street,  or  Golden  street,  except  by  a  few  ancient  land- 
marks whose  proprietors  have  not  responded  to  the  spirit  of  chang-c; 
the  pliiiii  (lid  farmer  with  his  .Icrscy  wag-on  loaded  with  pork  or  butter, 
long-  since  lost  to  trade,  would  himself  be  lost  in  the  mag-intude  of 
the  single  freighting-  establishment  which  has  taken  the  place  of  its 
prog-eiiitors;  the  lad  who  (^ast  his  fortunes  on  the  Pacific  in  1847, 
and  carried  with  him  visions  of  tli(^  orchards  and  open  lands  west  of 
Liberty  street,  would  lind,  in  the  new  strectts  and  the  many  dwelling-s 
which  to-day  sw(H'p  from  north  to  south,  and  shut  out  the  sun  from 
his  old  play-ground,  no  realization  ol'  the  j)ictui'es  on  the  walls  of  his 
memory. 

For  the  l)ea.utv  of  its  private  residences,  the  (;ity  had  not  a  high 
reputation  fifty  years  ago,  though  perhaps  its  standard  was  quite 
up  to  the  re(piirements  of  the  age.  The  Riiggles  house,  in  Wash- 
ington Place,  and  the  residences  adjoining  on  the  north,  were,  when 
erected,  r(\garde(l  as  the  most  (degant,  and  views  from  the  fornier 
foiind  their  way  into  the  sketch-books  of  the  times,  'i'lien  came  the 
Storms  house  (late  Pjdward  R.  .lolines,  south  of  the  iron-works),  and 
the  residences  of  William  lloe  and  David  ('rawl'orc]  on  iNbmtgomery 
street;  Francis  Crawl'ord  (now  Harvey  Weed);  J(»liii  W.  K  iic\cls, 
north  of  the  Washington  street  s(-hool-liouse;  l)ani(d  Rogers,*  be- 
tween High  and  (irand  strcsets,  and  Bcnijamin  Carpenter  adjoining, 
and  those  of  Isaac  R.  Carpenter,  Odell  S.  Hathaway,  dohn  W.  Brown, 
and  Fre(lerick  J.  Betts  (at  Balmville).  Now,  charming  cottages  and 
sumptuous  villas  are  to  be  seen  in  every  direction,  and  year  by  year 
the  hills  and  plateaus  in  the  city  and  vicinity  are  more  and  more 
crowtled  with  the  abodes  of  wealth,  not  only  of  modern  structure  but 
those  whose  walls  have  been  rebuilt  and  enlarged — among  the  latter, 
the  former  residence  of  Jacob  and  Thomas  Powell,  now  of  Homer 
Ramsdell;  that  of  Samuel  Downing,  now  of  William  W.  Carson,  and 
that  of  William  Leach,  now  of  S.  R.  Van  Duz(m-,  the  latter  mainly  the 
result  of  the  skill  of  the  late  Dr.  Hull.  While  on  Water  street  may 
be  readily  detected  the  prevailing  architecture  of  places  of  business 
at  dilfei-ent  pei'lixls — the  building-  on  th(^  corner  of  Water  and  Second 
streets  rej)resenting  the  earliest, — on  Grand,  Liberty,  and  indeed  on 
almost  all  of  the  upper  streets  may  be  s(H'n  that  of  residences,  the 
head-quarters  house  representing  the  earliest.     More  creditable  to  tlu; 


*  The  rcsidutK!!^  of  Danictl  llogcrH,  tlid  two  Crawford  iiiaiisions,  luid  tliiil   of  Jiiijics  S. 
Brown,  WLTt!  orected  aliout  unci  jjiior  tu  1834. 


204  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

city  are  those  of  the  later  period,  from  the  fact  that  they  are  a  per- 
petual tribute  to  the  memory  of  Andrew  J.  Downing,  who,  born  amid 
the  scenes  which  have  been  so  briefly  sketched,  grafted  his  pure  and 
artistic  perceptions  not  only  upon  the  community  in  which  he  lived, 
but  upon  the  nation. 

In  the  architecture  and  appointment  of  its  churches,  its  schools, 
and  its  public  buildings,  improvement  is  everj^  where  apparent  in  the 
city.  The  years  are  but  few  since  it  could  with  truth  be  written:  "  In 
Newburgh  are  many  very  ugly  places  of  worship;  and  as  the  city 
rises  abruptly  from  the  river,  their  ungainly  proportions  are,  of 
course,  prominent  in  every  direction;"  but  it  can  be  written  with 
truth  no  longer,  for  since  it  was  penned  (1857),  not  less  than  $250,000 
have  been  expended  by  different  denominations  in  the  building  and  in 
the  improvement  of  church  edifices.  Perhaps  in  no  class  of  buildings 
is  the  change  more  marked,  unless  it  be  in  those  which  ha^^e  been 
erected  for  free  schools. 

Not  the  least  in  the  evidences  of  progress  are  the  dispositions 
which  have  from  time  to  time  been  made  of  the  Glebe.  Covering 
nearly  one-half  of  the  territory  of  the  city,  it  has  necessarily  entered 
into  much  of  its  history.  Each  half-century  has  brought  its  changes. 
Under  the  act  of  April  10,  1855,  by  which  persons  holding  its  lands 
by  lease  were  enabled  to  obtain  titles  in  fee  simple,  by  the  payment 
of  such  sums  of  money  as  would  yield  an  annual  interest  equal  to 
the  annual  rent,  a  very  considerable  portion  of  the  tract  has  been 
converted  into  fee  simple  titles.  The  annual  income,  which,  until 
1869,  was  expended  yearly  in  the  support  of  schools,  has,  since  that 
time,  been  funded  to  establish  an  income  upon  which  to  found  a 
School  of  Design,  an  object  which,  when  accomplished,  will  indeed  be 
a  monument  to  the  ancient  bequest,  from  which  will  flow,  if  not  the 
temples  and  the  mighty  works  of  ancient  Rome,  generations  of 
mechanics  converted  by  its  instrumentality  into  thinkers  as  well  as 
practical  workers. 


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LOCALITIES.  205 


CHAPTER   X. 

LOCALITIES — CENSUS    RETURNS SUPPORT    OF    POOR — TURNPIKES    AND    PLANK- 
ROADS RAILROAD    ENTERPRISES BANKING     INSTITUTIONS • 

INTRODUCTIOJM    OF    WATER STOCK    COMPANIES,     ETC. 


LOCALITIES. 

THE  town  of  Newburg'h  is  in  the  extreme  nortli-eastcrii  })art  of 
the  county.  It  has  a  river  front  of  seven  miles,  and  extends 
westward  from  eiglit  to  eleven  miles.  It  is  about  sixty  miles  in  a 
northerly  direction  from  New  York,  eighty-three  miles  south  of 
Albari}',  fifty  miles  east  of  the  Delaware  river,  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  from  the  head  of  Cayuga  lak(>,  and  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  from  lake  Erie  in  a  straight  line.  It  contains  26,870  acres 
of  land,  and  had,  in  1875,  a  population  of  8,543.  The  surface  of  the 
town  is  stony,  and  is  broken  into  high  hills  which  run  north-east  and 
south-west.  The  soil  is  composed  of  deposits  of  clay,  sand  and  hjam, 
and,  along  the  river,  is  warm,  productive  and  well  cultivated.  In  the 
western  part  of  the  town  the  soil  is  not  so  deep  and  warm,  and  re- 
quires more  laborious  culture.  The  rock  formations  are  principally 
slate  and  lime. 

The  city  of  Newburgh  lies  in  the  south-east  part  of  the  original 
town  of  Newburgh.  It  contains  1,570  acres  of  land,  and  has  a  popu- 
lation of  17,433.  It  has  a  river  front  of  about  two  miles.  Its  harbot 
is  the  best  on  the  Hudson,  extending  (including  the  frontage  of  the 
town)  a  distance  of  about  eight  miles,  with  a  width  from  one  mile  to 
one  mile  and  a  quarter,  and  a  depth  of  from  five  to  seven  fathoms, 
and  is  protected  from  storms  by  ranges  of  mountains  which,  extend- 
ing from  the  river  in  a  northerly  and  westerly  direction,  describe 
nearly  a  semi-circle. 

The  city  and  the  town  are  alike  remarkable  for  their  healthfulness 
of  climate,  and  for  the  variety  and  beauty  of  their  natural  scenery. 
As  has  been  already  stated,  the  city  was  originally  settled  by  German 
Palatinates;  the  town  by  English  emigrants  from  the  eastern  prov- 
inces and  from  the  county  of  Westchester.  The  character  of  the 
population  of  the  former  was  gradually  changed,  and  that  of  the 
latter  became  divided  into  English,  Scotch,  and  Irish  nationalities. 
The  site  of  the  city  was  first  called  by  the  Algonquin  title  Quasmicl, 


206  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGK 


from  the  root  terms  qussiik  sig'iiifying-  stone  or  rock,  and  irk — literally, 
stony  land.  The  present  name  was  first  applied  by  Alexander  Golden 
in  1743,  and  is  from  Newburgh,  a  town  in  Scotland,  on  the  river  Tay, 
which  it  resembles  in  many  of  its  physical  features.* 

Balmville. — A  small  collection  of  hcnises  two  miles  north  of  the 
city  of  Newburgh,  and  named  from  a  large  tree  grt)wing  there  com- 
monly called  Balm  of  Gilead,  which  is  remarkable  for  the  strong  bal- 
samic scent  of  its  leaves  and  buds.f  The  place  was  part  of  the 
original  German  patent;  was  formerly  called  Hampton,  and  was  one 
of  the  commercial  centers  of  the  town  as  early  as  1767. |  In  later 
times,  the  freig'hting  business  was  conducted  here  by  Daniel  Smith, 
and  subsequently  by  the  Messrs.  Butterworth.  The  village  has  a 
district  school,  a  burying  ground,  and  one  en*  two  shops.  In  the 
vicinity  are  several  fine  country  seats.  § 

MiDDLEHOPE. — A  small  hamlet  four  miles  north  of  the  city  of  New- 
burgh, and  formerly  called  Middletown  because  half-way  between 
Newburgh  and  Marlborough.  It  has  a  post-office  and  a  store;  a  Meth- 
odist and  a  Presbyterian  church;  a  district  school,  and  a  cemetery 
under  the  title  of  "  Highland  Cemetery,"  owned  by  an  association 
organized  under  the  general  statute  of  the  state.  After  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  post-office  here,  considerable  difficulty  arose  out  of  the 
fact  that  there  was  another  of  the  same  name  in  the  county;  and, 
at  the  suggestion  of  the  Postmaster  General,  a  meeting  of  the  resi- 
dents in  the  neighborhood  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  changing  the 
title.  At  this  meeting,  several  names  were  proposed  and  rejected, 
until  finally  the  late  Mr.  James  P.  Brown,  recollecting  that  theie  was 
a  village  in  Scotland,  the  land  of  his  birth,  by  the  name  of  Hopeton, 
proposed  that  of  Middlehope,  which  was  adopted. 

The  Dans  Kamer. — "De  Dnyfel's  Dans  Kamer  !"  Cthe  Devil's  Dance 
Chamber),  so  the  point  of  land  forming  the  north-western  head  of 
Newburgh  bay  was  described  by  some  Dutch  skipper  more  than  two 
centuries  ago.  It  has  ever  since  borne  the  title  of  The  Dans  Kamer. 
The  first  notice  of  it  occurs  in  the  journal  of  DeVries,  under  date  of 
April  26th,  1640;  and  as  DeLaet,  in  his  very  minute  description  of 
the  river,  written  in  1624,  makes  no  mention  of  it,  the  name  must 
have  originated  between  1624  and  1640.  An  explanation  of  the 
origin  of  the  name  is  found  in  certain  religious  rites  of  the  Indians, 
which  were  often  performed  here.     These  rites  consisted  in  the  wor- 


*  See  ante  p.  105,  110,  126,  127.  Also,  Harper's  Gazetteer.  The  first  application  of  the 
present  name  was  by  Alexander  CoUlen  to  that  portion  of  the  patent  owned  by  him,  and 
which  was  long  known  as  the  "  Old  Town  of  Newburgh  Plot."  It  was  next  'applied  to 
the  parish  (1752),  then  to  the  precinct  (1763),  then  to  the  town  (1788),  to  the  village  at 
its  incorporation  (1800),  and  retained  in  the  title  of  the  city. 

t  Ante  p.  182.     Also,  Eager's  Orange  County,  p.  199.      i  Ante  p.  181.       §  Ante  p.  203. 


LOCALITIES. 


207 


ship  of  thoir  God  Baehtamo,  and  was  denoininated  "devil  worship," 
by  the  Dutch.  For  the  celebration  of  this  worshij),  tlic  Indi.-ilis  held 
meetings  pric^i-  to  starting  on  expeditions  of  hunting,  tishing,  or  war, 
to  ascertain  whether  they  would   V)e   successful   or  not.     "At  these 

meetings,"  says  a  paper  de- 
scribing the  natives  of  New 
Netherland,  written  in  1611, 
"conjurors  act  a  wonderful 
part.  These  tuiiiltle,  with 
strange  contortions,  head 
over  lieels;  lie;it  themselves, 
leiip  with  a  ii  i  d  eo  u  s  noise 
thidugii  and  around  a  large 
lire.  Finally  they  all  raise 
a  tremendous  caterwauling, 
when  the  (h'vil  appears  (they 
say)  in  the  shii]ieof  a  raven- 
ous or  a  harndess  animal — 
the  first  betokens  something 
had,  Ihe  second  sometinng 
good."  Lieut.  (Jouwenhoven 
witnessed  an  exhihition  of 
this  ch;iracter  at  the  Dans 
INDIAN  DEVIL-WORSHIP.  Kumer,  (lurlng  the  war  with 

the  Esopus  Indians,  in  1663.*  The  spot  was  dedicated  to  this  rude 
worship,  and  was  so  occupied  for  perhaps  a  hundred  j'ears  after  the 
discovery  of  the  Hudson.  In  point  of  fact,  there  were  two  dance 
cliambers — tiie  first  being  the  rocky  point  which  Juts  out  into  the 
river,  called  in  tlie  original  deed,  "the  little  dans  kamer;"  and  the 
second,  the  plateau  occupied  by  the  Armstrong  residence,  which  is 
specified  in  the  same  instrument  as  "the  large  dans  kamer."  The 
little  dans  kamer  has  a  level  surface  of  perhaps  half  an  acre,  and  is 
separated  from  the  main  land  by  a  marsh  over  which  the  water  flows 
at  times,  while  the  large  dans  kamer  embraces  a  plot  of  ten  acres. 

Hampton. — This  name  was  given  by  William  Acker,  son  of  Wolvert 
Acker,  to  the  farm  of  his  father,  now  the  residence  of  Mr.  Alexander 
Young,  and  is  said  U)  mean,  "  a  house  or  farm  on  a  hill."  It  is  in  the 
extreme  north-eastern  part  of  the  town,  and  has  a  landing  on  the 
Hudson,  from  which  Wolvert  Acker  established  a  ferry  (known  as  ' 
Acker's  Ferry)  soon  after  the  Revolution. 

FosTERTOWN — Is  a  liamlct  about  four  miles  north-west  from  the  citv. 


*  Documentary  History  of  New  York.     The  dances  were  discontinued  under  an  order 
of  the  English  government. 


208  ll^I^ TOR  Y  OF  NEWB URGIL 


THE   EOSS   HOUSE. 


The  patent  on  which  it  is  hicated  was  first  settled  in  1768,  by  John 
Foster,  William  Foster,  Richard  Ward  and  John  (irig'gs.*  The  lands 
of  John  Foster  were  sold  by  him  to  James  Innis,  the  father  of  William 
Innis;  and  the  place  owned  by  William  Foster  is  now  or  lately  occu- 
pied by  David  Wyatt.  The  descendants  of  Richard  Ward  and  John 
Griggs  continue  to  hold  the  lands  of  their  fathers.  The  Fostertown  M. 
E.  Church  is  in  this  neighborhood.     There  is  also  a  district  school. 

RossviLLE. — This  is  the  name  of  a  section  of  the  town  about  six 
miles  north-west  of  the  city  of  Newburgh,  and  was  originally  covered 
by  the  Wallace  patent.  As  previously  stated,  this  patent  was  pur- 
chased by  Joseph  Penny,  who  sold  about  two  hundred  acres  to  Robert 
Ross,  and  divided  the  remainder  among  his  sons.     Mr.   Ross  is  said 

to  have  been  the  first  to  settle  on  the  patent, 
where  he  established  a  tannery.  As  early,  proba- 
bly, as  1770,  he  built  a  substantial  stone  house, 
which  is  still  standing  and  forms  a  part  of  the 
residence  of  John  L.  Aderton,  who  lutw  owns  the 
place.  The  sons  of  Robert  Ross— Alexander  and 
William — subsequently  attained  distinction  in  the  town,  and  their 
birthplace  was  called  Rossville.  There  is  a  M.  E.  Church  here,  a 
district  school,  and  a  post-office  and  store.  The  post-office  address  is 
Savill,  a  name  of  no  local  significance;  it  was  bestowed  by  the  late 
Chauncey  F.  Belknap  in  honor  of  his  son,  Savill. "f 

LuPTONDALE — Is  a  district  and  not  a  hamlet.  It  lies  in  the  north- 
west part  of  the  town,  about  seven  miles  from  the  city,  and  is  not 
unfrequently  called  "  Quaker  street."  Mr.  Birdsall,  who  bestowed  the 
name,  states:  " They  called  the  road  west  of  the  lake  Rocky  Forest, 
tlie  name  given  to  it  by  Mr.  Kipp,  and  I  gave  this  road  the  name  of 
Luptondale  in  honor  of  William  Lupton,  who  owned  this  part  of  the 
old  patent.'" 

Rocky  Forest. — This  district  embraces  the  western  part  of  the  pat- 
ent to  Jacobus  Kipp  and  Company.  Orange  lake  adjoins  it  on  the 
east,  and  from  its  elevation  the  views  from  many  of  its  dwellings  are 
unsurpassed  in  extent  and  variety.  The  name  was  conferred  from 
the  physical  features  of  a  portion  of  the  district,  which  was  origin- 
ally and  emphatically  a  rocky  forest.      Henry  W.  Kipp,  son  of  Jaco- 


*  Ante  p.  132. 

t  The  name  and  the  post-oflflce  had  their  origin  in  Mr.  Belknap's  office.  The  circum- 
stances were  these:  An  old  gentleman  from  Rossville  called  at  Mr.  Belknap's  office,  and  in 
conversation  on  neighborhood  matters,  Mr.  B.  jokingly  asked  him  why  they  did  not  have  a 
post-office  there  ?  The  gentleman  replied  he'  did  not  suppose  one"  could  be  obtained. 
"Nothing  easier,"  said  Mr.  B.,  and  turning  to  his  desk  he  drew  up  a  petition,  which  was 
signed  by  himself  and  Mr.  Thomas  George  and  forwarded  to  Washington,  expecting  that 
that  would  be  the  last  of  it.  The  Department,  however,  regarded  the  appHcation  as 
having  been  made  in  good  faith,  and  estabUshed  the  office  and  appointed  a  postmaster. 


LOCALITIES. 


209 


bus,  was  the  first  settler  here,*  and  continued  his  residence  as  late  as 
1778,  when  he  was  enrolled  as  an  exempt  for  military  tax. 

Gardnertown — Is  a  small  settlement  four  miles  north-west  of  the 
city  of  Newburg'h,  so  c;illed  from  Silas  Gardner,  one  of  the  first 
settlers.     There  is  a  neat  M.  E.  Church  here,  also  a  store  or  tavern, 

a  district  school,  and  one  or  two  shops.     A  short 
distance  south  of  the  church,  stands  tlie  old  resi- 
dence of  the  original  proprietor — a  massive  stone 
-structure  of  a  style  of  architecture  quite  preva- 
lent a  century  or  so  ago.     In  the   same  vicinity 
THE  GAKDNER  HOUSE,     is  thc  mill  owiicd  for  uiany  years  by  David  Bond, 
but  originally  established  by  Gardner. 

GiDNEYTOwN. — The  settlement  known  as  Gidneytown  originally  em- 
braced the  patent  to  John  Spratt,  which  was  purchased  about  the  year 
1760  by  Eleazer  Gidney,  whose  four  sons,  Joseph,  Daniel,  David,  and 
Eleazer,  about  that  time  settled  upon  it.  A  part  of  the  original  pur- 
chase remains  in  the  possession  of  the  fannly, 

DuBois'  Mills. — The  water  power  of  the  Quassaick  creek  was  first 
applied  to  practical  use  at  the  place  long  known  as  DuBois'  Mills, 
about  one  mile  and  a  half  west  of  its  confluence  witli  the  Hudson. 
Alexander  Golden  erected  a  mill  here  as  early,  probably,  as  1743. — 
This  mill  was  one  of  the  oldest,  if  not  the  first  built,  in  this  region. 

Golden  sold  it,  and  parts 
of  lots  No.  1  and  No.  2  of 
the  German  patent,  to 
Jonathan  Hasbrouck  by 
deed  dated  May  3,  1753.  f 
It  remained  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Hasbrijucks 
until  after  the  Revolution, 
and  during  the  war  was 
frequently  occupied  by  the 
militia  when  called  out  on 
alarms.  The  Hasbroucks 
DUBOIS'  MILLS.  soM  It  to  a  Mr.  Van  Keu- 

ren.  From  him  it  was  bought  by  a  Mr.  Dickonson,  who  occupied 
it  in  1798.  Subsequently  it  became  the  property  of  Genl.  Nathaniel 
DuBois,  who  erected  in  connection  with  it  a  saw  mill  and  a  fulling 
mill.     It  remained  in  his  hands  upwards  of  forty  years.     After  his 


*  Ante  p.  131. 

t  The  price  paid  by  Hasbrouck  was  $1050  for  100  acres,  "  together  with  the  grist  mill 
and  the  appurtenances  thereof,  the  mill  house,  the  mill  dam  and  dams,  also  the  bolting 
chests  or  boxes,  bolts,  bolting  cloths,  wheat  screens,  and  all  other  implements  and  uten- 
sils."—Z7/ster  Becord  of  Deeds,  K  E.,  501. 

014 


210  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


doatli  it  was  purchased  by  a  Mr.  Woygant,  who  sold  it  to  James  R. 
Dickson.  Mr.  1).  removed  it  (Oct.  1859),  enhirg'ed  the  water  power 
by  a  substantial  stone  dam,  thus  I'orniiiig  a  lake  covering-  s(»ni(>  twenty- 
nine  acres,  and  erected  a  larg:e  brick  flouring-  mill  witli  six  run  of 
stone.  Messrs.  Enoch  Carter  and  Wm.  B.  Sanxay  purchased  from  Mr. 
Dickson,  and  conveyed  the  property  (1871)  to  the  Messrs.  Chad  wick, 
who  converted  it  into  a  bleachery  of  cotton  cloths,  and  erected  ad- 
ditional buildint'-s. 

New  Mills. — The  second  enterprise  of  this  sort,  in  the  vicinity  of 
DuBois'  Mills,  was  Abel  Belknap's  (subsequently  Daniel  Niven's)  g-rist 
mill,  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter  west  of  the  city,  south  of  the  Co- 
checton  turnpike — now  reconstructed  and  occupied  as  a  woolen  mill. 
It  was  erected  by  Mr.  Belknap  some  years  prior  to  the  Revolution, 
and  was  continued  by  Mr.  Niven  until  his  death  in  1820.  The  third, 
was  undertaken  by  Chancy,  Joseph,  Thomas,  and  Daniel  Belknap, 
under  the  firm  of  C.  Belknaj)  &  Co.,  who  erected,  in  1802,  a  large 
flouring  mill,  and  constructed  a  canal — the  first,  probably,  in  the  state 
— to  sui)ply  the  water  power.  This  mill  soon  came  to  be  called 
the  "  New  Mills,"  and  the  name  was  extended  to  the  hamlet  which 
grew  up  around  it.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  it  was  one  of  the 
largest  mills  in  the  country;  and,  for  several  years,  its  proprietors 
were  the  only  Newburgh  firm  represented  o\\  'change  in  New  York. 
It  is  said  that  when  it  was  built  there  was  but  one  dwelling — a  log 
house — between  it  and  the  then  village,  and  a  considerable  portion  of 
what  is  now  Western  Avenue  was  still  covered  with  heavy  timber. 
It  was  purchased  from  the  Belknaps  by  the  late  James  Halstead,  from 
whom  it  passed  to  William  H.  Beede.  It  was  destroyed  by  fire  (Oct. 
6, 184G,)  and  a  new  mill  was  erected  on  its  site,  by  Mr.  Beede,  in  1847. 
Mr.  Jivmes  Ross  is  its  present  owner.     The  district  is  now  known  as 

West  Newburgh. — A  tine  school  building,  erected  by  the  Board  of 
Education  of  the  city,  is  located  here;  the  Third  (or  Grace)  M.  E. 
Church;  a  fire  engine  and  house;  the  lime  kilns  of  Messrs.  W.  R.  &  C. 
L.  Brown;  several  stores  and  manufacturing  establishments,  the  latter 
including  two  tanneries;  ajul  also  a  considerable  number  of  improved 
dwellings.     Tlu>  Highland  Hat  Works  are  a  short  distance  west. 

Powder  Mills. — About  four  miles  north-west  of  the  city,  in  the  town 
of  Newburgh,  are  the  Powder  Works  of  Lafflin  &  Rand.  The  mill 
privilege  here  was  originally  occupied  by  Foster's  saw  mill.  It  was 
purchased  by  Asa  Taylor  in  1816,  who  erected  mills  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  powder.  Mr.  Daniel  Rogers  purchased  the  property  in  1817, 
improved  the  mills  and  converted  them  into  over  thirty  substantial 
stone  structures.     He  continued  the  manufacture  of  gun-powder  until 


LOCALITIES.  211 


1838.  Mr.  Hog'ers'  sons  subsequently  conducted  the  works  for  a  few 
years.  The  present  owners  enhirg-ed  the  works,  wliich  are  now,  as 
they  were  under  Mr.  Rogers,  among  the  most  complete  and  extensive 
in  the  country. 

Belknap's  Ridge — Is  about  four  miles  west  of  the  city.  Its  name 
is  in  honor  of  the  Belknap  family,  who  purchased  and  settl(;d  here  in 
1749-'50.  * 

CoLDENHAM — A  name  originally  given  by  Governor  Colden  to  his 
s(!ttlement  in  the  town  of  Montgomery,  and  still  retained  there;  but 
subsequently  extended  to  the  hamlet  in  the  south-west  part  of  the 
town  of  Newburgh,  about  six  miles  from  the  city.  The  Coldenham 
post-office  is  located  here;  there  is  also  a  hotel  and  (me  or  two  shops. 

Orange  Lake. — This  body  of  water  lies  in  the  north-western  part  of 
the  town,  and  covers  about  f(jur  hundred  acres.  Its  aboriginal  name 
was  Qusfiu/c,  or  stony  pond,  from  the  large  number  of  boulders  on  its 
western  shore.  The  present  name  was  conferred  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
James  'Wilson,  who  resided  in  its  vicinity.  It  is  fed  by  internal 
springs,  and  by  small  streams  which  flow  into  it.  Its  outlet  is  the 
Quassaick  creek.f  The  principal  fact  of  historical  interest  in  con- 
nection with  it  is  the  erection  of  a  coinage  mill,  near  its  outlet,  by 
Capt.  Thomas  Machin,  about  the  year  1787-'88.  Capt.  Machin  began 
to  build  a  grist  and  saw  mill  here  in  1784,  and  gave  the  name  of  New 
Grange  to  the  place.  In  1787,  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  several 
residents  of  the  city  of  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of  coining  money. 
The  firm  was  soon  after  incorporated  with  a  similar  company  char- 
tered by  the  state  of  Vermcmt,  |  and  continued  business  for  a  few 
years.     The  mill  and  the  manner  in  which  coins  were  manufaqtured, 


*  Ante  p.  130.  t  Ante  p.  62. 

:}:  On  the  18th  of  April,  1787,  Captain  Machin  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Samuel 
Atlee,  James  F.  Atlee,  David  Brooks,  James  Grier,  and  James  Giles,  all  of  New  York. 
The  t/Crra  specified  for  its  continuance  was  seven  years,  with  a  capital  of  £.300.  The  firm 
seems  to  have  been  formed  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  coininfc  copper,  provided  congress, 
or  any  of  the  state  legislatures,  enacted  a  law  allowing  individuals  to  coin  money.  As  the 
object  was  to  make  money,  a  small  capital  was  considered  sufficient  for  the  undertaking. 
On  the  7th  of  June  following,  that  firm  formed  a  co-partnership  with  one  then  existing, 
which  consisted  of  four  partners — Eeuben  Harman,  Esq.,  Wilham  Coley,  of  Bennington 
county,  Vermont,  Elias  Jackson,  of  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  and  Daniel  Van  Voor- 
his,  goldsmith,  of  the  city  of  New  York, — for  a  term  of  eight  years  from  the  first  of  the 
following  July,  that  being  the  Umitatiou  of  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  Vermont  to  said 
Harman,  for  the  coinage  of  copper. 

At  Machin's  mills  perhaps  a  thousand  pounds  of  copper  was  manufactured,  as  appears 
by  his  papers,  in  the  year  1789;  previous  to  which  time  little  seems  to  have  been  done. 
The  business  appears  to  have  been  discontinued  in  1790,  for  in  a  letter  from  J.  F.  Atlee  to 
Mr.  Machin,  dated  Vergennes,  October  14,  1790,  be  expresses  a  wish  that  the  concern 
might  arrive  at  a  settlement  on  equitable  terms,  and  compromise  their  matters  without  a 
tedious  and  expensive  law  suit." — Sirnnis'  History  of  Schoharie  County,  596. 

Capt.  Machin  died  at  Charleston,  Schoharie  County,  April  3d,  1816,  aged  72  years. 
During  the  Revolution,  he  superintended  the  construction  of  the  chain  and  other  obstruc- 
tions to  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  river,  and  rendered  other  important  service.  He 
settled  in  Newburgh  at  the  close  of  the  war,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Schoharie 
county.  "In  the  camp  and  in  retirement,  his  qualifications  were  holden  in  very  high  con- 
sideration." 


212  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


were  described  by  Tliomas  Machiii,  a  son  of  the  proprietor,  to  Doct. 

F.  B.  Hong-h,  of  Albany,  wlu)  furnished  the  following  particulars: 

"  The  coinage  mill  was  from  forty  to  fifty  rods  below  the  pond,  on  a  canal  dug  for  the 
purpose.  The  building  was  of  wood,  thirty  by  forty  feet,  and  two  stories  high.  The 
metal  used  was  copper,  obtained  by  melting  up  cannon  and  leaving  out  the  zinc  in  the 
alloy.  The  copper  was  then  run  into  moulds,  and  rolled  into  flat  sheets  of  the  thickness  of 
the  coin  and  from  one  to  two  feet  wide.  It  was  then  punched  with  a  screw,  moved  by  a 
lever,  so  adjusted  that  half  a  revolution  would  press  out  a  disk  of  the  size  of  the  coin. 
The  blanks  were  then  put  into  a  cyUnder  and  revolved  with  sand,  saw-dust  and  water. 
They  were  generally  left  revolving  through  the  night;  and  the  coiners  circiilated  the  story 
that  the  devil  came  by  night  to  work  for  them.  They  also  sometimes  worked  in  masks  to 
create  a  terror  in  the  neighborhood.  One  night  in  the  cyUnder  would  wear  the  edges  of 
the  blanks  smooth.  The  coining  jjress  was  a  screw,  with  an  iron  bar  about  ten  feet  long 
through  the  top.  On  each  end  of  this  bar  was  a  leaden  weight  of  perhaps  five  hundred 
pounds.  The  threads  of  the  screw  were  large  and  square  and  worked  through  an  iron 
frame.  Eopes  were  attached  to  each  end  of  the  bar,  and  it  was  swung  about  half  way 
around  by  two  men  pulling  upon  the  ropes;  two  other  men  puUed  the  lever  back,  and  a 
fifth  laid  on  the  blank  and  took  otf  the^  coin  with  his  fingers.  The  last  operative  named 
sat  in  a  pit  so  that  the  lever  would  not  touch  his  head.  The  coinage  was  about  sixty  per 
minute.  A  little  silver  was  coined,  but  niosth*  copper,  and  the  work  was  continued  four 
or  five  years.  Atlee,  the  engraver  wore  a  horrid  mask,  and  frightened  some  boys  who 
came  to  fish  so  that  they  never  ventured  near  the  mill  again.  The  machinery  was  removed 
to  New  York,  and  the  building  was  afterwards  used  as  a  grist  mill.  Machin  abandoned 
the  enterprise  probably  about  1790,"  on  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  constitution. 

The  coins  of  this  mill  are  to  be  found  in  specimens  of  Vermont 
currency  of  1787,  etc.,  and  are  probably  those  known  as  "  Vermon 
Atictori."  No  coins  of  other  states  were  issued,  as  operations  were 
conducted  solely  under  the  Vermont  charter. 

QuASSAicK  Creek. — This  stream  is  composed  of  the  outlet  of  Orange 
lake  and  of  the  Fostertown  and  Tent  Stone  Meadow  creeks.  Though 
sometimes  called  Chambers'  creek,  from  the  fact  of  its  having  been 
the  north  bounds  in  part  of  the  patent  to  Chambers  and  Sutherland, 
its  Indian  name  now  prevails.  Its  water  power  is  very  durable  and 
has  been  largely  employed  from  an  early  period.  The  question  of  the 
right  of  the  creek  to  be  reg-arded  as  tlie  natural  outlet  of  the  lake,  was 
made  a  subject  of  legal  controversy  in  1825,  it  being  assumed  by  the 
contestants  that  that  outlet  was  a  small  stream  further  west;  but  this 
assumption  was  not  sustained  by  the  court. 

Fostertown  Creek. — This  stream  rises  in  Ulster  county,  flows 
through  Fostertown  and  Gidneytown  and  empties  into  the  Quassaick 
creek.     At  Gidneytown  it  takes  the  name  of  Gidneytown  creek. 

Tent  Stone  Meadow  Creek. — This  creek  rises  in  a  large  swamp  in 
Ulster  county,  known  many  years  ago  as  the  Tent  Stone  Meadow^  It 
flows  through  Rossville  and  empties  into  the  Quassaick  at  the  Powder 
mills.  The  name  of  the  creek  is  given  as  recorded  on  a  map  of  the 
town  made  by  W.  W.  Sackett,  in  1798,  now  on  record  in  the  office  of 
the  secretary  of  state,  Albany. 


LOCALITIES.  213 


Bushfield's  Creek. — This  creek  has  its  source  in  a  swamp  in  the 
town  of  Plattekill,  known  as  the  Stone  Dam  Meadow  from  the  fact 
that  across  the  south  end  of  the  swamp  is  a  stone  dam  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  yards  hjiig,  three  feet  high,  regularly  built  and  now  in 
good  preservation.  Neither  the  period  at  which  it  was  erected,  nor 
by  whom  it  was  built,  are  known.*  The  creek  issues  through  a  sluice 
way  in  this  dam  and  empties  into  Orange  Lake.  Its  original  name 
was  Beaver  Dam  creek — the  present  name  was  given  in  honor  of 
James  Bushfield. 

Denton's  Creek. — A  small  stream  having  its  source  west  of  Middle- 
hope  and  flowing  south  and  east  to  the  Hudson  south  of  Balmville. 
It  formerly  furnished  power  for  a  lathe  near  the  public  highway,  and 
also  for  the  grist  mill  of  Nehemiah  Denton  (from  whom  its  name  was 
given),  near  its  confluence  with  the  Hudson. 

PowELLTON  Brook — Is  the  outlet  of  Powellton  spring.  It  flows  to 
the  Hudson  a  short  distance  north  of  North  street. 

Acker's  Creek. — A  small  stream  which  runs  through  the  northern 
part  of  the  town  for  a  short  distance  and  joins  the  Hudson  in  the  town 
of  Marlborough.  It  was  formerly  called  Jew's  creek  from  a  Mr. 
Gomoz,  a  Jew,  who  held  a  portion  of  the  Harrison  patent.  The  pres- 
ent name  is  a  memorial  of  Wolvert  Acker  who  had  a  grist  mill  and 
a  saw  mill  upon  it. 

Trout  Brook.- — ^This  brook  flows  north  through  Middlehope  and 
empties  into  x\cker's  creek. 

Poll  Rose's  Pond. — A  sheet  of  water  on  Western  Avenue  near  the 
New  Mills;  more  recently  called  Taggert's  pond.  The  outlet  at  the 
south  end  formerly  furnished  power  for  a  turning  lathe.  The  original 
name  was  from  a  wt)man  who  lived  many  years  at  the  head  of  the 
pond  on  the  avenue. 

Springs. — Powellton  spring  is  on  the  Powell  est.ate  north  of  North 
street.  Ledyard's  spring  is  on  the  Ledyard  farm  west  of  New  Mills. 
Cold  spring  is  south  of  Washington  street  near  the  public  school. 
The  latter  was  for  some  years  the  principal  source  of  suppl}'  of  water 
for  the  village;  and  the  former  were  examined  in  connection  with  the 
increase  of  the  supply  in  1852. 

Fitzpatrick's  Pond — Known  to  some  extent  as  Carpenter's  pond — is 
west  of  Powell  Avenue  and  north  of  Gidney  Avenue.  It  originally 
covered  about  half  an  acre. 

King's  Hill. — An  eminence  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  over 
the  crown  of  which  passes  the  boundary  line  between  the  towns  of 

*  The  early  settlers  attributed  the  erection  of  this  dam  to  the  beavers.    The  work  is 
certainly  not  beyond  the  skill  of  those  ingenious  animals. 


2l4  BISTORT  OF  NEWBURGH. 

Newbuvgh  and  Montgomery.  The  name  is  derived  from  a  Mr.  King, 
an  old  settler,  whose  descendants  still  reside  in  the  town. 

Racoon  Hill — Is  north  of  Kiii<:;'s  Hill,  and  is  so  called  from  its 
having  been  infested  with  racoons. 

Cronomer's  Hill — Is  about  three  miles  north-west  of  the  city,  and 
is  so  called  from  having  been  the  residence  of  an  Indian  named 
Cronomer,  prior  to  the  Revolution.  One  of  the  lots  on  the  farm  late 
of  J.  Cornish  is  still  known  as  "  the  hut  lot,"  where  Cronomer  had  his 
cabin.  Tradition  affirms  that  Cronomer  once  pointed  out  a  deposit  of 
lead  ore  on  this  hill,  and  that,  during  the  Revolution,  it  was  examined 
with  a  view  to  opening  it.  ^^he  tradition  is  in  part  sustained  by  the 
fact  that  Col.  Thomas  Palmer  had  what  was  claimed  as  a  lead  mine  in 
Newburgh,  which  was  examined  as  stated;  but  where  it  was  located 
does  not  appear.* 

Lime  Stone  Hill. — A  ridge  of  lime  stone,  about  two  miles  north- 
west of  the  city  of  Newburgh. 

MucHATTOES  HiLL — Extcuds  from  the  southern  part  of  the  town  into 
New  Windsor.  The  Newburgh  Alms-house  is  situated  on  the  north- 
eastern spur,  and  along  its  eastern  base  are  several  tinely  cultivated 
farms  and  vineyards.  The  north-east  front  of  the  hill  is  almost  per- 
pendicular, while  the  west  side  is  smooth  and  of  gentle  declivity.  It 
was  known  for  many  years  as  Snake  Hill,  from  the  fact  of  its  being 
infested  with  snakes  at  the  early  settlement  of  the  town. 

The  Vale. — Originally  a  beautiful  valley  extending  up  the  Quas- 
saick  creek  for  half  a  mile  from  its  mouth.  A  few  years  ago  it  was 
a  favorite  resort,  and  frequently  visited  by  strangers, f  but  is  now 
mainly  occupied  by  the  Branch  railroad  and  the  Pennsylvania  Coal 
Company.  Tliere  is  a  tradition  that,  in  the  house  once  occupied  by 
Mr.  Richard  Trimble,  and  more  recently  by  Mr.  Hale,  Mr.  Roe,  and 
others,  but  which  was  known  in  the  days  of  the  Revolution  as  Ettrick 
Grove,  an  attempt  was  made  to  betray  Washington,  whose  head- 
quartei's  were  then  at  the  Ellison  house,  New  Windsor.  Ettrick 
Grove  was  then  occupied  by  Col.  Ettrick,  a  zealous  tory.     The  story 

*  "  Ordered,  That  John  McDonald  be  furnished  with  five  dollars  to  enable  him  to  pro- 
ceed to  Thomas  Palmer's  at  Newburgh,  to  examine  the  lead  mines  claimed  by  the  said 
Palmer  or  belonging  to  him."— ./o«?-.  Corn,  of  Safety. 

t  The  following  in  reference  to  a  visit  of  the  National  Grays,  of  New  York,  is  from  the 
Telegraph  of  July  25,  1839: 

"One  of  their  numerous  marches  in  the  neighborhood  of  our  village,  was  to  Ettrick 
Grove,  the  beautiful  seat  of  Mr.  Hale,  a  mile  below  the  village,  taking  in  their  way 
"Washington's  Head-quarters,"  to  which  the  company  wished  to  pay  a  last  visit  before 
their  departure.  The  entire  march  was  over  consecrated  ground— Washington  himself 
had  known  and  traversed  every  foot  of  it— in  the  neighborhood  was  the  ground  where  the 
army  was  stationed,  and  in  the  ravine  below,  was  the  revolutionary  cannon  foundry, 
traces  of  which  are  still  visible.  These  were  all  pointed  out,  as  also  the  remaining  por- 
tion of  the  house  (now  Mr.  Hale's  kitchen)  to  which  Washington  was  invited  to  an  enter- 
tainment, in  order  to  his  betrayal  by  a  band  of  conspirators  against  his  life  and  his 
country's  hopes." 


"•*T5 


WASHINGTON'S  HEAD-QUARTERS— From  the  East. 


'7-9G 


m 


A— Sitting  Room. 
B — Family  Room. 

(oldest  part  of  btillding.) 
C— Kitchen. 
D— Hall. 


E — ^A/^ashington's  Parlor. 

F — \A/^ashingion's  Private  Room. 

{commuuipating  with) 
G — \A'^ashington's  Bed-roonn. 
H — Store-room. 


LOCALITIES.  215 


goes,  that  Washington  had  accepted  an  invitation  to  dine  with  Col. 
Ettrick,  who  had,  meanwhile,  made  arrangements  with  a  company  of 
tories  to  take  him  prisoner.  Washington,  warned  of  the  design, 
ordered  a  detachment  of  the  life-guard,  dressed  in  the  English  uni- 
form, to  be  on  the  ground  before  the  arrival  of  the  tories.  When  this 
detachment,  made  its  appearance,  Washington's  host,  supposing  them 
to  be  his  tory  friends,  stepped  up  to  him  and  accosted  him  as  his  pris- 
oner. Washington  looked  at  his  troops  for  a  moment  and  replied, 
"I  believe  not,  sir,  but  you  are  mine."  The  treacherous  host  was 
spared  his  life,  through  the  intercession  of  his  daughter,  who  had 
betrayed  her  father's  intention,  and  he  was  permitted  to  remove  to 
Nova  Scotia.     The  story  has  some  elements  of  probability. 

Washington's  Head-quarters. — The  building  now  so  generally  known 
as  "  Washingt(^n's  Head-quarters  at  Newburgh,"  is  situated  on  Liberty 
street  in  the  south  part  of  the  city.  It  is  constructed  of  rough  stone; 
is  one  story  high,  fifty-six  feet  front  by  forty-six  feet  in  depth,  and  is 
located  on  what  was  originally  Lot  No.  2,  of  the  German  patent. 
The  title  to  the  lot  was  vested,  by  the  patent  referred  to,  in  Herman 
Schoneman,  a  native  of  the  Palatinate  of  Germany,  who  sold,  in  1721, 
to  James  Alexander,  wh(j  subsequently  sold  to  Alexander  Colden  and 
Burger  Meynders,  by  whom  the  property  was  conveyed  by  Jonathan 
Hasbrouck.  The  south-east  corner  of  the  building,  more  particularly 
shown  by  the  walls  and  the  timbers  of  the  roof  remaining  in  the  attic, 
is  the  oldest  portion,  but  by  whom  erected  is  not  positively  known. 
The  north-east  corner  was  erected  by  Hasbrouck  in  1750,  and  the 
west  half  was  added  by  him  in  1770,  and  one  roof  thrown  over  the 
whole.  The  dates  of  the  additions  aa-e  cut  upon  stones  in  the  walls. 
The  building  was  made  the  head-quarters  of  Washingt(m  in  the  spring 
of  1782,  and  remained  in  his  occupation  until  August  18th,  1783.  The 
general  incidents  occurring  during  that  period  have  ah'eady  been  nar- 
rated. As  is  shown  by  the  account  which  he  rendered  to  the  govern- 
ment, Washington  maintained  here  his  own.  household.*  While  in 
his  occupation  the  large  room,  which  is  entered  from  the  piazza  on  the 
east,  known  "  as  the  room  with  seven  doors  and  one  window,"  was 
the  dining  and  sitting  room;  the  north-east  room  was  Washington's 
bedr(xjm,  and  the  room  immediately  adjoining  on  the  left,  his  private 
oflBce.f  The  family  room  was  that  in  the  south-east;  the  kitchen  was 
the  south-west  room;  the  parlor  the  north-west  room,  and  between  the 
latter  and  the  former  was  the  store-room, |  hall   and  stair-case.     The 


*  No  part  of  the  building  was  occupied  by  the  Hasbroucks,  as  has  generally  been  sup- 
posed, during  Washington's  residence. 

t  Tradition  has  assigned  this  room  to  Hamilton;  but  it  is  now  conclusively  known  that 
that  officer  was  not  a  member  of  Washington's  staff  at  the  time,  nor  even  a  visitant. 

t  So  called  from  having  been  used  by  Col.  Hasbrouck  as  a  store. 


216  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

property  remained  in  the  Hasbrnnck  family  until  1849,  when  the  title 
became  vested  in  the  people  of  the  state  under  the  foreclosure  of  a 
mortgage  given  to  the  commissioners  to  loan  certain  moneys  of  the 
United  States.  By  act  of  the  legislature,  passed  April  10,  1850,  it 
was  placed  in  the  care  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  village  of 
Newburgh,  to  be  preserved  as  nearly  as  possible  as  it  was  at  the  time 
of  its  occupation  by  Washington.  The  building  was  at  once  restored, 
by  a  committee  appointed  by  the  board  of  trustees,  and  the  place 
formally  dedicated  on  the  4th  of  July,  1850.  The  care  of  the  prop- 
erty passed  to  the  city  authorities,  by  the  city  charter,  where  it 
remained  until  1874,  when  the  legislature  appointed,  by  act  of  May  11, 
a  board  of  trustees  to  hold  and  maintain  it.  A  large,  and  in  some 
departments  valuable,  collection  of  manuscripts  and  relics  are  now 
deposited  in  the  building,  for  which,  as  well  as  for  the  initiatory  steps 
by  which  the  state  authorities  were  induced  to  purchase  the  property, 
the  public  are  mainly  indebted  to  the  late  Enoch  Carter,  although 
man}^  articles  of  value  have  been  added  by  other  parties,  and  espe- 
cially by  the  state  and  the  federal  authorities.*  The  trees  now  grow- 
ing were  planted  by  residents  of  Newburgh  and  vicinity. 

Public  Stocks. — By  colonial  law,  minor  offenses  were  punished  by 
confinement  in  the  public  stocks,  or  by  public  whipping,   and  each 

town  and  precinct  had  its  whip- 
ping-post and  stocks.  Those 
erected  in  Newburgh  were  in 
Water  street,  opposite  the  High- 
land Bank,  and  were  standing 
after  the  commencement  ol  the 
present  century.  A  map  of  (lie 
property  of  Thomas  Colden,  made 
".^*&,s*^«s^'^**^S!s*««**^"'  i"  n91,  shows  the  location  of  tlie 

PUBLIC  STOCKS.  stocks,  aud  an  outline  represen- 

tation, from  which,  as  well  as  from  a  description  by  the  late  Mr.  Benj. 
Carpenter,  the  accompanying  engraving  was  drawn.  The  stocks  con- 
sisted of  a  frame  resembling  a  heavy  square  box,  on  the  edge  of  wliich 
were  seats.  The  bar  for  confining  the  feet  of  prisoners  was  about  four- 
teen feet  in  length  and  was  secured  by  heavy  padlocks.  Near  the 
center  of  the  frame  stood  the  whipping-post,  which  was  some  ten  feet 
high  with  arms  placed  in  an  angular  position.  The  stocks  were  pro- 
bably removed  in  1810  or  '12. 

Newburgh  Market. — The  act  incorporating   the  village    gave  the 
board  of  trustees  power  to  establish  a  market  and  lease  the  stands, 

*  The  stat((  contributed  trophy  and  other  guns  from  the  old  Arsenal.     Thirty  trophy 
guns  were  added  by  order  of  Hon.  W.  W.  Belknap  in  1873. 


LOCALITIES. 


217 


NEWBURGH   MABKET. 


and  a  building-  for  that  purpose  was  erected  at  the  foot  of  Third,  now 
the  west  line  of  Front  street.  The  first  leasing-  of  stands  occurred  in 
1811,  when  Jas.  Lyon,  Ed.  Griswold,  Chas.  Birdsall,  and  David  Tice, 
were  licensed    as    butchers — Birdsall    and   Griswold  occupying-  two 

stands  each.  VVni.  Mathew- 
son  also  occupied  one  for 
several  years.  The  build- 
ing- was  of  wood,  one  story 
hig-h  and  open  as  represent- 
ed in  the  engraving-.  Third 
street  divided  and  ran  on 
tiie  north  and  south  sides 
of  the  market  to  the  I'erry 
and  public  landing-.  During- 
the  winters,  when  the  stands  were  not  occupied,  the  lads  had  merry 
times  in  riding  down  "  McAuley's  hill,"  as  Third  street  was  called, 
and  shooting  through  the  market.  The  building- was  removed  in  1822 
or  '23,  and  about  the  same  time  a  new  market  of  improved  architect- 
ure was  erected  by  John  Neely,  on  the  north  side  of  Third  street,  east 
of  Water.  The  amended  charter  of  1836  relieved  the  trustees  from 
the  duty  of  providing  a  mai-ket  building,  and  that  then  in  use  was 
removed  or  converted  to  other  use. 

Hay-scai,es. — The  Hay-scales  were  a  landmai-k  on  Western  Avenue 
for  over  a  quarter  of  a  century.     They 
were  erected  in   1806,  and  by  the  sub- 
sequent opening-  of  (jrand  street  were 
lei't  slandinii-  on  ii  small  triangle  at  the 
junction  of  tliat  street  ainl  the  avenue, 
where   they  remained    in   use  until  the 
8th  of  January,  1838,  when  they  wei-e 
prostrated  during  a  remarkably  heavy 
gale  of  wind.*  The  scales  were  of  pecu- 
liar construction,  and  were  composed  of 
a   beam   from  which  chains   wei-e   sus- 
pended   for    raising    the    teams    which  A.  _^ 
were  to   be   weighed.     The   north   end     v\\* 
was  enclosed  for  a  weighing  room,  and  '        hay-scales. 

the  roof  was  extended  south  to  cover  the  beam.  It  will  be  inferred, 
of  course,  that  the  structure  was  the  approved  pattern  of  the  times; 
platform  scales  were  then  unknown.  The  accompanying  engraving 
is  from  description  by  Mr.  John  H.  Corwin. 


*  This  gale  was  the  most  severe  of  any  on  record.     It  occurred  in  the  afternoon. 


218 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


CENSUS  RETURNS. 

Altlious^li  eiiumeriitioTKs  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  several  precincts 
of  New  York  were  made  at  an  early  period,  the  returns  are  very 
imperfect.  The  early  tax  rolls  give  more  complete  statistics,  and  in 
those  relating  to  the  precinct  of  the  Highlands  is  the  following: 

"The  Freeholders,  Inhabitants,  Residents  and  Sojourners  of  the  County  of  Ulster,  theire 
real  and  personal  estates  are  Rated  to  be  assessed  by  the  Assessors  (on  theire  Oath) 
chosen  for  the  same  on  the  20th  day  of  January  1714-5,  and  are  to  pay  after  the  rate  of 
one  penny  half  per  £  to  discharge  this  years  payment  of  said  County's  Quota*  Layd  by 
an  Act  of  the  P.  Assembly,  Entitled  an  Act  for  Levying  the  sume  of  Ten  Thousand 
pounds,  viz  : 

Preciiict  of  Highlands. 

Rated. 
Wm.  Elsworth's  widow,    £5 


ted. 

Tax. 

£30 

£   3s  9d 

5 

0  n 

45 

5  7| 

15 

1  10 

10 

1  3 

15 

1  lOJ 

10 

1  3 

10 

1  3 

12 

1  6 

10 

1  3 

10 

1  3 

25 

3  IJ 

Dennis  Relje, 
Alexander  Griggs, 
Thomas  Harris, 
Capt.  Bond, 
Melgert  the  Joyner, 
Christian  Henrick, 
Jacob  Decker,  Jun, 
Cornehs  Decker, 


3 
35 

5 
15 
15 

3 
10 

5 

293 


Peter  Magregorie, 
Swerver, 

William  Sutherland 
Michael  Wynant, 
Burger  Myndertsen, 
Jacob  Weber, 
Peter  LaRoss, 
John  Fisher, 
Andres  Volck, 
George  Lockstead, 
Pieter  Jansen, 
Heiu-y  Rennau, 

With  the  exception  of  Peter  MacGregorie  and  William  Sutherland, 

who  lield  lands  in  New  Windsor,  and  the  Deckers,  Griggs,  Bond,  and 

Harris,  the  persons  named  were  residents  or  freeholders  in  the  present 

town  and  city  of  Newburgh,  and,  with  the  exception  of  Myndertsen, 

Ellsworth,  and  Relje,  were  Palatinate  settlers.    Similar  returns  for  the 

years  HH-'S,  1724-'5,  and  lt26-'9,  exhibit  the  increase  of  residents 

and  freeholders  in  the  precinct,  as  follows: 


Peter  MacGregory, 
Wm.  Sutherland, 
Michael  Wynant, 
Jacob  Weber, 
John  Fischer, 
Andries  Volck, 

Wm.  Chambers, 
John  Lawrence, 
His  Ex.  William  Burnett, 
Widow  Elsworth, 
Phineas  Mcintosh, 
Thos.  Ellis(on), 
George  Lockstead, 
Jeurian  Quick, 
WiUiam  Bond, 
Burger  Minders, 
Thomas  Brainer,  widow, 
WiUiam  Ward, 
Geo.  Waggont, 
Wm.  Sanders, 
Alexander  Mackel, 


1717-8 
Henry  Rennau, 
Widow  Elsworth, 
Denis  Relje, 
Wm.  Bond, 
Alexander  Griggs, 
Melgert  de  Scm-ynwerker, 

1724-5 
Doct.  Colden, 
Geo.  Elmes, 
Tobias  Waggont, 
Valentyn  Breasure, 
John  Humphrey, 
David  Sutherland, 
John  Davids, 
John  Wilson, 
Old  Denes, 
William  Fountain, 
Gomoz  the  Jew, 
Christopher  Febb, 
John  Askell, 
John  Armtyne, 
Thomas  Edwards, 


Col.  Mathews, 
Mr.  Gomoz, 
Burger  Myndertsen, 
A.  Graham, 
Mr.  Chambers, 
Peter  Jansen's  estate. 

Z.  Hoffman, 
Michael  Bolls, 
Henry  Wileman, 
Daniel  Denes, 
John  Slater, 
John  Filips, 
Robt.  Kirkland, 
John  Alsop, 
Peter  Long, 
Peter  MuUiner, 
Melcher  Gillis, 
Henry  Hedsel, 
Benj.  Elsworth, 
Nathaniel  Foster. 


The  tax  laid  on  the  precincts  of  the  county  are  given  in  this  return  as  follows : 


Kingston, 
Fox  ball  Manor, 
Hurley, 
Marbletown, 
Rochester, 

Totals, 


Valuation. 
£917() 
1322 
4398 
5142 
3523 


Tax. 

£57    7s  Od 

8    5    3 

27    9    9 

32    2    9 

22    0    U 


New  Palles, 
Shawangonck, 
Wagackkemeck, 
Highlands, 


Valuation. 

£2075 

848 

105 

293 


26882 


Tax. 
£12  19s  4:^ 
5    6    0" 

0  13    U 

1  16    7| 

168    0    3 


CENSUS  RETURNS. 


219 


Wm.  Chambers, 
Phineas  Mcintosh, 
Thomas  Ellison, 
James  Elsworth, 
Jurie  Quick, 
Wm.  Bond, 
Gomoz  the  Jew, 
Burger  Meynderse,  Jr., 
Moses  Elsworth, 
John  Haskell, 
John  Alsop,  Esq., 
William  Ward, 
John  Vantine, 


1726-9. 
John  Davis, 
Melgert  Gillis, 
Geo.  Speedwell, 
Benj.  Elsworth, 
Nathl.  Foster, 
Francis  Harrison, 
J.  Mackneel,  Jr., 
James  Gamwell, 
Stephen  Bedford, 
Thomas  Shaw, 
Joseph  Gale, 

Henry , 

John  Mond, 

Geo.  Wagagont  (Weigand). 


Burger  Meynderse, 
Wm.  Saunders, 
Alex.  Mackie, 
Cad.  Golden, 
John  Slaughter,  . 

George , 

Tobias  Wagagont, 
Robert  Strickland, 
John  Umphrey, 
Peter  Long, 
David  Sutherland, 
Peter  Muliner, 
Christain  Chevis. 


The  names  of  persons  enrolled  for  military  duty  in  1138,  which  will 
be  g'iven  hereafter,  represents  the  residents  of  the  precinct-  of  the 
Hi<>"hlands  at  that  time;  wliile  the  male  population  of  the  precinct  of 
Newburg'h,  over  sixteen  years  of  age,  in  1715,  is  probably  correctly 
represented  in  connection  with  the  pledge  of  association  heretofore 
quoted.*  The  militia  rolls  of  the  precinct  (m8-'9),  are  perhaps  the 
best  record  of  male  population  at  that  time.  An  enumeration  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  precinct  was  taken  in  1782,  pursuant  to  an  act  of 
the  provincial  convention  entitled  "An  Act  for  taking"  the  number  of 
white  inhabitants  within  this  State,"  passed  March  20,  of  that.  year. 
It  gave  a  population  to  Newburgh  of  l,48t,  divided  as  follows:  Males 
under  16,  429;  over  16  and  under  60,  2.52;  over  60,  37.  Females  under 
16,  368;  over  16,  371.  Number  of  persons  making  Newburgh  their 
place  of  abcjde  "by  reason  of  the  invasion  of  the  enemy,"  154,  viz: 
Males  under  16,  36;  over  16  and  under  60,  26;  over  60,  6.  Females 
under  16,  42;  over  16,  44. f  In  1785,  the  precinct  was  divided  into 
road  districts,  and  a  record  made  of  the  persons  assessed  for  high- 
way labor.  This  list  embraces  three  hundred  and  nineteen  names. 
The  several  census  taken  since  1782,  exhibit  the  following  results: 


Year. 

Popvlation. 

Increase. 

Year. 

Population. 

Increase 

1790 

2,365 

878 

1840 

8,933 

1,150 

1800 

3,258 

893 

1845 

9,001 

68 

1810 

4,627 

1,369 

1850 

11,425 

2,424 

1814 

5,107 

480 

1855 

12,773 

1,348 

1820 

5,812 

705 

1860 

15,196 

2,423 

1825 

6,168 

356 

1865 

17,389 

2,193 

1830 

6,424 

256 

1870 

20,563 

3,174 

1835 

7,783 

1,359 

1875 

20,996 

433 

These  returns  include  the  population  of  the  town  and  of  the  village 
prior  to,  and  of  the  town  and  city  since,  1865.  An  enumeration  taken 
in  the  year  1814,  gave  the  population  of  the  village  as  2,323;  in  1817, 
2,464;  in  1821,  2,877;  in  1822,  3,566;  in  1855,  9,256.  The  population 
of  the  city  in  1870  was  17,021;  in  1875,  17,433.  The  population  of 
the  town  in  1870  was  3,542;  in  1875,  3,543.|  While  the  increase  in 
population  has  been  slow,  it  has  not  receded  in  any  decade. 


*  Ante  p.  136.  t  Documentary  History  of  New  York,  iii,  996, 

\  The  figures  for  1875  in  this  statement  are  not  oflBcial. 


220  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBOH. 


NEWBURGH    POOR    SYSTEM. 

PiH)vision  for  niaiiitaiuiiig-  the  poor  was  included  in  the  act  creating 
the  precinct  of  Newburgh.  The  first  record  in  rehition  to  the  subject, 
aside  from  the  annual  election  of  overseers  of  the  poor,  occurs  in 
n(>9,  \\iu>n  iE30  were  raised  "for  the  support  of  the  }>oor  ibr  the  year 
ensuing'."  In  1711,  the  following'  rules  were  adopted  at  the  annual 
precinct  meeting",  viz: 

"Ki'i.i:  FiusT.— Votoil,  as  au  onconrastemont  to  all  siicccediug  Poor  Masters,  tlie  more 
faithfully  to  disi-hargo  tlioir  dutv  in  their  otliee,  by  im'veutiiiji  all  iiimoi'ossarv  charp;es  aud 
ntH'dless  costs  on  the  inhabitants  of  tho  I'rtH'iuot,  aud  also  as  a  reward  for  tlieir  good  ser- 
viees,  wo  freely  vote  theiu  the  suui  oi  £10  eaeh,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  money  voted  to  bo 
raised  for  the  use  of  the  poor  or  out  of  such  tines  us  may  be  raised  for  the  same  use. 

"Kn,E  TUiKD.— Voted,  that  no  Poor  Blaster  for  the  time  being  shall  for  any  cause 
whatever,  relieve  or  cause  to  bo  relieved,  or  made  chargeable,  any  person  or  persons  what- 
ever, that  may  by  law  be  transixirted;  or  any  private  person  who  can  be  made  account- 
able according  to  law;  on  pain  of  perjury,  and  making  themselves  liable  to  pay  all  such 
charges,  and  tbrfeit  to  the  use  of  the  pi>or  twenty  shiUings  and  charges  of  prosecution,  to 
be  recovered  before  any  of  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace." 

In  1775,  £b^  were  raised  for  the  poor;  in  1777,  £100;  in  1778,  iE200. 

At  the  annual  meeting-  in  the  laiter  vear,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  donations  be  collected  in  this  Precinct  to  be  applied  to  such  poor  whose 
husbands  or  parents  were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners  at  Fort  Montgomery." 
1780.— "  Voted,  That  £800  be  raised  for  the  poor."' 

1800 "Voted,  To  hire  a  house  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Poor.'* 

1805 "Voted,  That  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  be  authorized  to  contract  with  one  or 

more  persons  to  take  the  whole  of  the  poor,  and  to  put  out  the  clukbren  as  they  shall  see 
best  for  the  town." 

The  increase  of   [)o})uIation   made  it  necessary  to  provide  larg'er 

accommodations  for  the  poor;  and,  in   1814,  an  ;ict  of  the  legislature 

was  passed  authorizing  tlie  C(»nstriiction  o^  a  town  poor-house.     The 

town  voted  (^Ai)ril  1,)  ;i  tax  of  $1,500  for  that  purpose;  and  appointed 

John  Mandevill  and  Benoni  II.  Howell,  overseers  of  the  poor,  to  act 

with  Andrew  DeWitt,  John  D.   Lawson,  Eleazer  Gidney  :ind  Henry 

Butterworth,  commissioners,  "  to  direct  the  building  of  the  liouse  and 

to  take  the  whole  management  of  the  same."     A  site  was  selected  on 

the  iitirtliH'ast  curin'r  of  Water  and  Ni)rth  street,  and  a  Itiiilding  coni- 

pleled  in  the   C()iir.><('  of  the  year.     The  system    was   ctmdncted   with 

success  and  economy,  as  the  following'  figures  from  the  annual   report 

will  show,  viz: 


1827— House  expenses: 

Victualing,  Clothing,  Ac,  S297  71 

Wood,  81  87 

Doctor's  bill,  (ja  10 

Keeper's  wages,  50  00 

Temporary  reUef,  651  75 


Receipts: 

Tax.  *750  00 

On  hand,  385  41^ 

Fines,  Ac,  17  8l| 


1,153  -23 


1,144  52 

In  1830,  the  receipts  were  $2,172.64|,  and  disbursements  |;1,158.58J 
In  1831,  receipts,  $3,160.69|;  disbursements,  $1,648.64;  expenses  of 
alms-house,  $872. 72|. 

In  1830,  tlje  Orange  County  Poor-house  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$12,000;  and  on  tiie  22d  April.  1831.  the  legislature  authorized  the 
sale  of  the  Newburgh  Poor-house  and  lands,  which  was  soon  after 


POOR  SYSTEM.  ■        221 


effected,  and  the  proceeds  were  applied  to  the  payment  of  the  county 
poor  tax.  Connection  with  the  county  system  was  continued  until 
1852,  when  the  rapidly  increasing  charges  for  temporary  relief  aious- 
ed  public  attention  and  investigation.  The  subject  was  first  brought 
before  the  board  of  supervisors  by  Mr.  Enoch  Carter,  supervisor,  and 
the  abuses  of  the  county  system  were  thoroughly  exposed.  At  the 
instance  of  Mr.  Carter,  the  board  adopted  the  following  resolution,  viz: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Board  of  Supervisors,  it  would  be  for  the  mutual 
interest  of  the  citizens  of  Newburgh  and  of  Orange  County,  that  an  application  be  made 
to  the  Legislature  by  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Newbiirgh  for  the  passage  of  an  Act 
paying  to  the  town  of  Newburgh  her  proportionate  interest  in  the  present  county  house, 
and  also  empowering  said  town  to  provide  a  town  house  for  her  own  poor,  the  expenses 
of  which  shall  be  borne  by  the  town  of  Newburgh. 

The  inhabitants  of  Newburgh  immediately^  responded  to  the  action 
of  the  board  of  supervisors  by  a  public  meeting  held  at  Crawford's 
Hall,  on  the  evening  of  the  11th  of  December,  Mr.  George  Cornwell, 
chairman,  and  James  W.  Fowler,  secretary.  The  subject  was  dis- 
cussed by  Messrs.  N.  Reeve,  J.  J.  Monell,  Wm.  C.  Hasbrouck,  and 
G.  C.  Monell;  and  a  series  of  resolutions,  offered  by  J.  J.  Monell,  were 
adopted.  A  committee  of  twelve  persons, — viz:  Messrs.  John  W. 
Brown,  David  W.  Bate,  Wm.  C.  Hasbrouck,  J.  J.  Monell,  John  Beve- 
ridge.  Homer  Ramsdell,  Gilbert  C.  Monell,  Lewis  W.  Young,  Charles 
Drake,  Enoch  Carter,  Charles  U.  Cushman,  and  Rev.  Jno.  Forsyth, ^ — 
was  appointed  to  prepare,  and  report  at  a  subsequent  meeting,  an  act 
to  be  passed  by  the  legislature  to  reestablish  a  town  system  for  sup- 
porting the  poor. 

At  a  meeting  held  December  30th,  Mr.  Brown,  from  the  committee 
for  that  purpose,  submitted  the  draft  af  a  law,  accompanied  by  an 
able  report  illustrating  the  necessity  of  the  movement,  stating,  among 
other  facts,  that 

"Previous  to  1840,  the  sums  expended  for  temporary  relief  seldom,  if  ever,  exceeded 
$1600,  for  the  county,  and  $600  for  this  town.  The  Superintendent's  Report  for  1838  ex- 
hibits this  item  at  $1589.27,  for  the  county,  of  which  $560.90  was  for  the  town  of  New- 
burgh. The  report  for  1839  exhibits  the  same  item  at  $1658.45  for  the  county,  of  which 
$585.90  was  for  the  town  of  Newburgh.  This  item  of  expenditure  has  grown  with  a 
steady  and  rapid  growth,  until  we  find  it  set  down  in  the  Superintendent's  Report  tor  the 
year  1852,  at  $12,802.13  for  the  county,  of  which  $6,451.90  is  set  down  as  expended  in  the 
town  of  Newburgh.  But  it  is  due  to  the  occasion  to  say,  that  notwithstanding  the  figures 
of  this  report,  and  the  known  integrity  of  its  authors,  the  committee  have  good  authority 
for  saying  that  the  expenditure  for  temporary  relief  for  the  last  year  was  little  short  of 
$14,000  for  the  county,  and  $8,000  for  the  town  of  Newburgh." 

The  act  applied  for  passed  the  legislature,  March  23,  1853.  By  its 
terms  the  town  of  Newburgh  was  established  as  a  separate  and  dis- 
tinct poor  district,  and  a  corporation  created  by  the  name  of  "  the 
Commissioners  of  the  Alms-house  of  the  town  of  Newburgh."  The 
commissioners  named  in  the  act,  viz:  Henry  Wyckoff,  David  W. 
Bate,  David  H.  Barclay,  George  Gearn,  Alfred  Post,  and  Eugene  A. 
Brewster,  immediately  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  and 
a  farm  was  purchased  and  the  erection  of  suitable  buildings  com- 


222  HISTORY  OF  NEl]'BUEGH. 


menccd  under  contract  with  Mr.  John  Little,  Jr.  Tlio  buildings  was 
completed  and  opened  Dec.  lOth,  1853,  and  was  t)ccupied  by  six  per- 
sons from  the  town  of  Xewburg-h  and  forty-nine  (exclusive  of  insane), 
frt)m  the  County  Poor-house,  l)eing-  the  number  apportioned  to  New- 
burgh  under  the  act  of  separation.  By  the  act  incorporating  the  city 
(1865),  the  town  and  the  city  are  united  in  the  system. 

The  operation  of  the  system,  during  the  first  fifteen  years  of  its 
existence,  is  stated  in  tlie  15th  annual  report  of  the  commissioners, 
from  which  it  appears,  that  during  that  period  the  receipts  from  all 
sources  was  $152, 332. 8T,  and  the  expenses,  including  buildings,  etc., 
$149,365.81;  average  yearly  cost  by  tax,  $4,558.77;  average  yearly 
cost  of  each  pauper,  $53.82: — weekly,  $1.03;  estimated  saving,  as 
compared  with  the  county  system,  in  fifteen  years,  $108,378.93. 

TURXPIKES    AND    PLANK-ROAnS. 

The  organizations  of  the  Newburgh  and  Cochecton,  Newburgh  and 
New  Windsor,  Newburgh  and  Sullivan,  Newburgh  and  Plattekill,  and 
the  Snake  Hill  turnpike  companies,  have  already  been  referred  to.*  In 
the  autumn  of  1849,  the  construction  of  a  plank-road  from  Newburgh 
to  Ellenville  was  proposed.  In  January  (14tli),  1850,  a  meeting  of 
citizens  was  held  at  the  United  States  Hotel, — Homer  Ramsdell,  presi- 
dent, and  Robert  Proudfit,  Jr.,  secretary, — and  on  motion  of  David 
Crawford,  a  committee  of  twenty-five  was  appointed  "to  go  out  to 
Ellenville,  in  company  with  eiigineers,  and  inquire  into  the  practica- 
bility of  constructing  a  plank-road  thither,  and  the  best  route  for  the 
same."  The  committee  employed  Mr.  W.  A.  Perkins,  engineer,  to 
make  a  survey  of  the  route,  who,  on  the  13th  March,  submitted  a 
ri'port  at  a  public  meeting.  The  report  presented  a  survey  of  three 
routes,  southern,  northern,  and  middle,  with  an  estimate  of  the  cost  t>f 
eacli;  and,  on  motion,  it  was  resolved,  that  "measures  be  taken  to 
organize  a  company  for  the  construction  of  a  plank-road  to  Ellenville 
with  a  capital  of  $100,000."  Committees  were  appointed  to  ascertain 
the  amount  of  stock  that  would  be  subscribed,  and  the  land  dama- 
ges claimed,  by  persons  residing  on  each  of  the  proposed  routes.     On 

*  The  Newburgh  and  Cochecton  turnpike  company  was  organized  in  1801.  (Ante  p. 
184).  The  Newburgh  and  New  Windsor  turnpike  eompanv  was  incorporated  by  Act  of 
the  legislature  passed  April  2d,  180(!.  Capital  15,000  Cliarles  Clinton,  Daniel  Stringham, 
John  McAuley,  George  Monell,  Hugh  \\'alsh,  Isaac  Hasbrouck,  Selah  Reeve,  Joseph 
Monell,  Abraham  Schultz,  Kichard  Trimble,  Jonas  Williams,  John  D.  Nicoll  and  Samuel 
Lockwood,  first  directors.  The  Orange  and  Ulster  Branch  txu-npike  company  was  incor- 
porated March  80,  1810.  Capital  $35,000.  Cornelius  Bru.\-u,  James  Kumsey,  Abraliam 
Jansen,  John  D.  Lawson,  John  JIcAulay,  Moses  Rosekranse,  Nicholas  Hardenburgh, 
Johannes  T.  Jansen,  directors.  The  route" was  tlirough  Rocky  Forest  and  New  Hurley  to 
Sullivan  county  by  way  of  Sam's  Point.  The  Newburgh  and  Tlattekill  turnpike  eompanv 
was  incorporated  April  5.  1810.  Capital  $14,tX)0.  ,tacob  Powell,  Daniel  Smith,  Johii 
Wells,  Jonathan  Bailey,  Justus  Cooley  and  Henry  Butterworth,  directors.  The  Snake 
HiU  turnpike  company  was  incorporated  IMarch  "24,  1815.  Capital  $14,000.  Jonathan 
Hasbrouck,  WiUiam  Taylor,  Hiram  Weller,  Nathaniel  DuBois  and  Jonathan  Hedges,  direc- 
tors. With  the  exception  of  the  Newburgh  and  Cochecton  and  Newburgh  and  New  Wind- 
sor, these  turnpikes  nave  been  abandoned  and  opened  as  coromon  highways. 


TURNPIKES  AND  PLANK-ROADS.  223 


the  24th  Marcli,  a  meeting  of  subscribers  to  the  stock  of  the  "  New- 
burgh  and  Kllenville  Plank-road  Company,"  was  held  at  the  United 
States  Hotel, — Homer  Ramsdell,  president,  and  E.  Pitts,  secretary, — 
and,  on  motion,  proceeded  to  the  election  n{'  nine  directors,  when  the 
following  named  gentlemen  were  chosen: 

Neirbia-gh^Homcr  lianisdcU,  E.  W.  Farringtoii,  David  Crawford,  Thornton  M.  Niven, 
William  Fnllcrton;  Ulstermllr—A.  R.  Taylor;  Walden—A.  F.  Schofleld;  Shaioangunk — 
James  G.  Graham;  Uruy nswick— liichurd  Jackson. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  directors.  Homer  Ramsdell  was 
elected  president;  E.  W.  Farrington,  vice  president;  T.  M.  Niven,  sec- 
retary; and  David  Moore,  treasurer.  At  a  meeting  of  the  directors, 
held  April  5th,  it  was  n^solved  to  adopt  the  southern  route;  and  at  a 
meeting  on  the  11th,  it  was  agreed  to  put  the  work  under  contract  as 
soon  as  $100,000  should  be  subscribed. 

Immediately  after  this  action,  those  in  I'avor  of  a  northern  route 
organized  the  "  Newburgh  and  Shawangunk  Plank-road  Company," 
and,  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  18th  April,  elected  Robert  A.  Forsyth, 
Cornelius  C.  Smith,  John  B.  Jamison,  Odell  S.  Hathaway,  Richard  A. 
Southwick,  Jacob  V.  B.  Fowler,  of  Newburgh,  and  James  G.  Graham, 
S.  M.  Bruyn  and  Jus.  N.  Mitchell,  of  Shawangunk,  directors;  Jacob 
V.  B.  Fowler  was  elected  president;  Robert  A.  Forsyth,  treasurer; 
and  R.  A.  Southwick,  secretary. 

Both  companies  were  organized  under  the  general  statute;  of  May 
7,  1847,  and  the  roads  were  completed  in  December,  1851.*  The 
capital  stock  of  the  Ellenville  road,  paid  in,  was  $79,770.  To  com- 
plete the  work  and  pay  existing  indebtedness,  the  legislature  passed 
an  act  authorizing  the  issue  of  $44,000  in  preferred  stock,  and  fixing 
the  whole  capital  at  $124,000.  The  capital  stock  of  the  Newburgh 
and  Shawangunk  road,  paid  in,  was  $30,000.  Both  roads  were  subse- 
quently converted  into  turnpikes. 

RAILROAD    ENTERPRISES. 

The  organization  of  a  company  for  the  construction  of  a  railroad 
to  connect  Newburgh  with  the  coal  mines  of  Pennsylvania,  was  first 
proposed  in  1829,  and  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  on  the 
19th  of  April,  1830,  constituting  and  appointing  David  Crawford, 
Christopher  Reeve,  John  P.  DeWint,  Thomas  Powell,  Joshua  Conger, 
Charles  Borland,  William  Walsh,  John  Forsyth,  and  their  associates, 
"a  body  corporate  and  politic  by  the  name  of  the  Hudson  and  Dela- 
ware Railroad  Company,"  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a  single  or 
double  railroad  or  way,  from  any  part  of  the  village  of  Newburgh, 
through  the  county  of  Orange  to  the  Delaware  river.  The  capital  of 
the  company  was  fixed  at  $500,000,  with  power  to  increase  the  same 

*  The  opening  of  the  south  plank  was  celebrated  at  Ellenville,  Dec.  22.  A  large  delega- 
tion from  Newburgh  was  present. 


224  WIS  TOR  Y  OF  NEWB  UR  GH. 

to  $1,000,000,  if  necessary;  and  David  Crawford,  Chiarles  Borland, 
Peter  Cuddeback,  Thos.  Powell,  J.  P.  DeWint,  Jos.  Kernochan,  Peter 
H.  Schenck,  and  John  W.  Knfivels  were  appointed  commissioners  to 
open  subscriptions. 

This  act,  however,  became  void — no  effort  having  been  made  to 
build  the  road  "within  three  years"  after  the  time  of  its  passage. 
Nothing  more  was  done  until  the  30th  of  September,  1835,  when  a 
meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the  Orange  Hotel  (ptirsuant  to  a  call 
signed  by  David  Ruggles,  John  Forsyth,  Nathaniel  DuBois,  Clias.  IT. 
Bellows,  Oliver  Davis,  and  David  Crawford),  of  which  Gilbert  0.  Fow- 
ler was  chosen  president;  Nathaniel  DuBois,  vice  president,  and  John 
W.  Knevels,  secretary.  The  subjects  discussed  at  this  meeting  were, 
mainly,  these  two,  viz:  What  course  should  be  pursued  in  reference 
to  an  application  to  the  legislature  for  a  subscription  on  the  part  of 
the  state  to  the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  company;  and  the  feasi- 
bility of  uniting  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  road  with  that  of  the  New 
York  and  Erie.     The  meeting 

"  Resolved,  That  we  will  unite  in  the  application  to  the  legislature  for  a  subscription  on 
the  part  of  the  state  to  the  stock  of  the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  comiDany.  That  we 
will  also  join  in  a  i)etitiou  to  the  legislature  for  the  grant  of  a  cliarter  upon  liberal  terms  in- 
corporating a  c()ni]5aiiy  to  construct  a  railway  from  this  village  to  the  Delaware  river,  and 
that  we  will  bear  our  proportion  according  to  our  several  means  in  subscription  to  the  stock. 

'^Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  persons  be  appointed  to  communicate  with  the 
directors  of  the  New  York  and  Erie  railroad  company,  and  present  to  them  a  proposition 
(as  detailed  to  the  meeting)  for  uniting  the  efforts  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  vicinity  with 
that  company  in  the  successful  prosecution  of  the  i)roject  for  constructing  a  railroad  from 
Lake  Erie  to" the  Hudson  river." 

On  this  committee  the  following  persons  were  placed,  viz:  John 

W.  Knevels,  Nathaniel  DuBois,  Oliver  Davis,  and  G.  0.  Fowler.     The 

following  resolution  was  also  unanimously  concurred  in,  viz: 

"  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  give  the  required 
legal  notice  in  the  public  newspapers  of  our  intention  to  apply  for  an  act  of  incorporation 
for  the  construction  of  a  railway  from  the  village  of  Newburgh  to  the  Delaware  river;  to 
prepare  and  circulate  petitions  to  the  legislature  in  behalf  of  this  application;  to  draft 
the  act  of  incorooration,  and  report  their  proceedings  to  the  meeting  at  the  time  to  which 
it  shall  stand  adjourned." 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  upon  the  last  inenti(^ned 
committee,  viz:  John  W.  Knevels,  Abraham  M.  Smith,  John  Forsyth, 
John  Thayer,  Benjamin  H.  Mace. 

Now  began  the  struggle  to  secure  the  eastern  terminus  of  the  Erie 
road  at  Newburgh;  and  the  interests  of  the  Delaware  road,  as  a  dis- 
tinct project,  awaited  the  issue.  When  it  became  known  that  those 
active  in  the  Erie  company  had  decided  in  favor  of  the  Piermont 
route,  the  citizens  of  Newburgh  again  took  up  the  Delaware  project, 
and,  on  the  21st  of  April,  1836,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  "to  re- 
new and  amend"  the  original  charter.  By  this  act,  "  David  Crawford, 
Christopher  Reeve,  Oliver  Davis,  John  Forsyth,  Thos.  Powell,  Joshua 
Conger,  David  Ruggles,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  and  their  associates," 
were  constituted  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  by  the  name  of  "  The 


oc 

\     < 


RAILROAD   ENTERPRISES.  225 


Hudson  and  Delaware  Railroad  Company,"  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
structing- a  road  "  commencing  in  the  north  part  of  the  village  of 
Newburg-h,  and  running  from  thence  along  the  Hudson  river  in  front 
of  said  village  as  far  as  the  trustees  of  the  said  village  "  should  deter- 
mine, and  thence  to  the  D<>laware  river.  The  ciipital  stock  of  the  com- 
pany was  fixed  at  $500,000,  and  Gilbert  0.  Fowler,  Charles  Borland, 
John  Foi'syth,  Thomas  Powell,  Benj.  H.  Mace,  John  P.  DeWint,  Abra- 
ham M.  Smith,  Jas.  G.  Clinton,  and  John  W.  Knevels,  were  appointed 
commissioners  to  open  subscriptions. 

On  the  15th  June,  1836,  the  first  election  for  directors,  under  the 
amended  act,  was  held  at  the  Orange  Hotel,  when  Thomas  Powell, 
John  Forsyth,  David  Crawi'ord,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  John  P.  DeWint, 
John  Ledyard,  Christopher  Reeve,  Gilbert  0.  Fowler,  James  G.  Clinton, 
Nathaniel  DuBois,  Samuel  G.  Sneden,  David  W.  Bate,  and  Oliver  Davis, 
were  chosen.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  directors,  Thomas 
Powell  was  elected  president;  David  W.  Bate,  vice  president;  John 
Ledyard,  treasurer;  and  James  G.  Clinton,  secretary. 

A  survey  of  the  route  was  made  soon  after  by  John  B.  Sargeant, 
wIkj  reported  the  length  of  the  proposed  road  as  thirty-eight  miles, 
and  the  cost  as  $10,000  per  mile.  Stock  to  a  sufficient  amount  having 
been  subscribed,*  steps  were  taken  to  grade  the  section  between 
Washingtonville  and  the  Quassaick  creek.  Ground  was  broken  on 
the  3d  of  November,  1836,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  and  the 
auspicious  event  was  celebrated  by  a  general  illumination  of  the 
village. f  In  response  to  a  petition  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  in- 
terested in  the  road,  the  legislature,  in  the  early  part  of  the  session 


*  The  Telegi-aph  of  August  26,  says:  "Great  liberality  in  ceding  lands  for  the  track  we 
understand  is  manifest^Bd  in  many  instances.  A  large  landholder  in  one  instance,  whose 
extensive  lands  are  traversed  for  some  distance  by  the  line,  (we  allude  to  the  Hon.  R. 
Denniston),  gave  the  company  permission  to  take  without  price,  any  route  except  through 
his  house.     Such  a  spirit  as  this  will  btiild  the  road  speedily." 

t  A  general  illumination  by  the  citizens  of  the  village  took  place  on  Thursday  evening 
last,  to  celebrate  the  commencement  of  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  railroad — the  notice  for 
which,  to  many  was  first  announced  by  the  blazing  of  tar  barrels  throughout  the  streets; 
but  no  sooner  was  it  generally  known  than  every  window  in  the  village  from  the  cellar  to 
the  garret  which  could  show  a  light  was  filled  with  blazing  candles.  The  spirit  with 
which  the  storekeepers  vied  with  each  other  on  the  occasion  was  well  displayed,  for  having 
placed  candles  in  every  pane  of  glass  in  their  windows,  they  paraded  them  in  rows  on  the 
awning  rails — which  gave  to  the  closely  populated  part  of  the  village  a  most  splendid 
appearance.  The  private  residences  of  the  merchants  and  wealthy  residents  on  the  upper 
streets  are  also  deserving  of  notice;  among  those  who  had  something  extra  both  in  point 
of  position  and  bnlliancy  of  effect,  were  Thomas  Powell,  Esq.,  W.  Eoe,  Esq.,  H.  Robin- 
son, Esq.,  and  in  a  most  eminent  degree  James  S.  Brown,  and  Samuel  Noyes,  Esq.,  who 
with  all  the  enthusiasm  with  which  his  liberal  spirit  is  endowed  kept  up  two  bonfires  on 
the  end  of  his  docH  and  continued  the  firing  of  cannon  from  early  in  the  evening  tUl  aft«r 
ten  o'clock.  John  Ledyard,  Esq.,  with  his  usual  promptitude,  was  most  active  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  official  duty,  and  continued  till  the  last  at  the  bonfire  ;  to  him,  for  his  imme- 
diate compliance  with  tlie  wishes  of  the  citizens,  and  Mr.  Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  in  grant- 
ing the  use  of  his  ground,  are  the  inhabitants  particularly  indebted.  J.  P.  DeVVint,  Esq., 
of  Fishkill  Landing,  had  his  residence  most  brilliantly  illuminated,  which  had  a  most  beau- 
tiful appearance  from  the  heights  on  the  south  of  the  village. 

On  the  mountain  south  of  the  village  of  Canterbury  there  was  a  large  bonfire  early  in 
the  evening,  and  we  beUeve  throughout  the  whole  county  a  general  rejoicing  has  taken 
place Gaz.,  Nov.  10,  1836. 

015 


226  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


of  1837,  iiiisscd  ail  act  enabling  the  trustees  of  the  village  to  purchase 
at  par  $150,000  of  tlie  stock.  The  subscription  was  made  in  accor- 
dance with  the  provisions  of  the  act;  anil  on  the  10th  of  January, 
1838,  the  trustees  paid  their  first  and  last  installment  of  $10,000. 

The  financial  reverses  of  1837  prostrated  the  enterprise;  and, 
although  a  considerable  portion  of  the  section  placed  under  contract 
in  August,  1836,  was  graded,  the  work  was  not  continued.  However, 
in  1840,  the  Erie  company  having  asked  th(>  aid  of  the  state,  the 
whole  influence  of  the  citizens  of  Newburgh  was  exerted  to  compel 
that  company,  as  a  condition  of  aid,  to  construct  a  branch  road  to 
Newburgh.*  The  effort  was  unsuccessful — the  Erie  company  received 
a  loan  of  the  credit  of  the  statt'  to  the  amount  of  $3,000,000.  The 
embarrassment  of  the  Erie  company  culminated  in  1842,  and  its 
affairs  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  assignees.  In  1845,  the  com- 
pany having  again  applied  to  the  legislature  for  aid,  the  citizens  of 
Newburgh  again,  and  this  time  with  success,  pressed  the  proposi- 
tion for  a  branch  road.  Their  efforts  led  to  a  conference  with  the 
Erie  company,  which  resulted  in  the  submission  of  bills  t()  the  legis- 
lature— the  first  releasing  the  company  from  the  payment  (tf  the 
$3,000,000  loan,  on  condition  that  a  bona  fide  subscription  to  that 
amount  should  be  secured  within  eighteen  months;  the  second,  re- 
quiring the  company  to  construct  a  branch  to  N(>wburgh  within  six 
years  after  the  passage  of  the  act.  To  more  certainly  secure  the 
latter,  a  written  agreement  was  made,  on  the  19th  of  March,  between 
the  directors  of  the  Hudson  and  Delaware  ct)mpany  and  the  direc- 
tors of  the  Erie  company  by  which  the  former  conveyed  to  the  latter 
"  all  the  grants,  lands,  immunities,  franchises,  improvements,  rights, 
privileges,  maps  and  charts,  and  all  of  the  real  and  personal  estate 
of  every  kind  whatsoever  belonging"  to  that  company  under  and  by 
virtue  of  its  charter,  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  not  less  than 
forty  thousand  dollars;  tlie  Erie  company  agreeing  as  a  further  con- 
sideration, that  on  the  passage  of  the  bill  then  before  the  legislature 
authorizing  the  company  to  construct  a  branch  road  to  Newburgh, 
and  also  the  bill  releasing  the  comi)any  from  tlu'  payment  of  the  three 
millions  loaned  to  it  by  the  state,  that   then,  upon  the   bona   fide  sub- 


*  At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Newburgh,  held  Marcli  ith,  1840, — Moses  H.  Belkii.ip, 
president,  and  Solomon  Tuthill,  clerk,— it  was 

Resolved,  That  if  the  legislature  shall  grant  further  aid  to  the  New  York  and  Erie  rail- 
road company  by  any  t'ormei-  or  future  law.  to  be  passed  for  that  purpose — in  such  case  tlie 
expenditure  thereof  shall  be  luadc^  under  the  more  immediate  supervision  of  the  state — 
and  upon  the  middle  and  western  sections  of  said  road,  wliere  the  same  would  comiect 
with  works  already  constructed,  such  as  the  Delaware  and  Hudson,  the  Chenango  and 
Chemung  canals,  and  the  Ithaca  and  Owego  railroad,  and  neld  an  innnediate  i)rotit,  which 
caimot  be  effected  by  constructing  the  eastern  end  of  said  "road  in  the  lirst  place,  as  is  now 
being  done. 

Resolved,  That  no  such  further  aid  be  granted,  unless  it  be  accompanied  by  legislative 
provision  for  the  construction  of  a  branch  of  sairT  road  terminating  at  Newburgh. 


RAILROAD  ENTERPRISES. 


227 


scriptioii  of  tlic  Hudson  and  Delaware  company  of  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  to  the  capital  stock  of  the  Erie  company,  the  latter 
would  construct  the  branch  to  Newburgh  and  issue  to  the  Hudson  and 
Delaware  company  stock  to  the  amount  of  $140,000.  On  the  [)ay- 
ment  of  twenty-five  per  cent,  of  the  subscription  of  $100,000,  "the 
same  together  with  a  sum  (Mjual  to  twice  that  amount"  to  b(^  fur- 
nished by  the  Erie  company,  was  to  be  "  actually  expended  "  upon  the 
branch  "simultaneously  with  and  as  rapidly"  as  that  company  should 
progr(^8s  with  its  main  line;  and  this  ratio  of  payments  and  expendi- 
tures was  to  continue  until  $300,000  was  expended.  In  case  that  sum 
did  not  complete  the  branch,  then  further  subscriptions,  by  the  Hud- 
son and  Delaware  company,  if  made,  should  "be  immediately  applied 
to  the  construction  of  said  branch  and  the  putting  of  the  same  in 
operation."  The  interests  of  the  roads  being  thus  harmonized,  the 
bills  referred  to  were  passed  by  th(!  legislature  on  the  14th  of  May 
following.  The  stock  subscriptit)n  required  from  the  Hudson  and 
Delaware  company  under  the  agreement  was  soon  raised,  and  $15,000 
in  addition — in  all  $115,000.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the 
subscribers,  and  the  mnnber  of  shares  taken  by  each,  as  nearly  as  can 
be  ascertained: 

Atwood,  William        SIik.  1 

Agnew,  William  25 

Barclay,  David  H-  5 

Belkuap,  A.  &  M.  H.  5 

Betts,  Frederick  J.  20 

Belknap,  Aaron  10 

Beveridge,  J.  &  Co.  100 

Brennan,  Patrick  5 

Bennett,  Hiram  10 

Brown,  John  W.  5 

Buckingham,  B.  F.  2 

Buchanan, H.  P.  2 

Bouton,  Lewis  S.  5 

Barker,  John  3 

Chambers,  James  15 

Chambers,  John  5 

Calyer,  Daniel  K.  2 

Crawford,  David  50 
Crawford,  Mailler  k  Co.,  50 

Cleary,  William  3 

Cornwell,  George  5 

Corwin.  Halsey  &  Co.,  8 

Clugston,  John  3 

DeWint,  John  P.  100 

DeGroff,  James  3 

On  the  fultillment  of  this  stock  subscription  by  the  citizens  of  New- 
burgh, it  was  their  prerogative  to  be  represented  in  the  board  of  the 
Erie  company  by  a  local  director,  and  Homer  Ramsdell  was  accord- 
ingly nominated  by  the  subscribers  and  el(>cted  as  such  director,  in 
the  summer  of  1845.  Tlu;  first  contracts  made  by  the  Erie  company, 
upon  its  reorganization  under  the  amended  act  of  1845,  were  those 
for  constructing  the  Newburgh  branch,  and  that  part  of  the  main  line 


DuBois,  Nathaniel 

20 

Mouell,  John  J. 

5 

Falls,  Hiram 

3 

Moflfat,  D.  H. 

5 

Farrington,  Daniel 

20 

Niven,  T.  M. 

10 

Felter,  Theron 

2 

Nicoll,  Wm.  C. 

1 

Fowler,  Jacob  V.  B. 

5 

Oakley,  Isaac  K. 

4 

Fowler,  M.  V.  B. 

5 

Powell,  Thos.  &  Co., 

250 

Gardner,  Silas  D. 

2 

Purdy,  Henry  L. 

2 

Gerard,  Franklin 

3 

Robinson,  Capt.  Hear 

V  50 

Gowdey,  James 

1 

Stanton  &  Clark, 

3 

Gorhaiii,  John  R. 

3 

Sneed,  George 

3 

Hasbroiick,  Wm.  C. 

5 

Spier  k  Wilson, 

2 

Harris,  John 

10 

'Smith,  Corns.  C. 

10 

Halsey,  Waltei' 

10 

Smith,  Wm.  P.  C. 

5 

Hasbrouck,  Eli 

5 

Smith  &  Booth, 

5 

Halstead  &  Co. 

5 

Smith,  Orville  M. 

3 

Hathaway,  Odell  S. 

10 

Storm,  Garret 

50 

Hawkins,  Wm.  H. 

1 

Tyler,  Benjamin 

10 

Horton  &  McCamly, 

10 

VanNort,  Benj.  W. 

10 

Johnes,  Edward  R. 

10 

Weed,  Harvey 

50 

Kemp,  Robert  D. 

3 

WUlianis,  Samuel 

3 

Kernochan,  Joseph 

50 

Walsh,  Henrv 

5 

Lander,  Tobias  D. 

2 

Zabriskie,  A.  G. 

3 

Little,  John 

2 

Wiley,  John 

5 

Little,  Thomas 

2 

Waugh,  Jas  S. 

2 

Meckleni,  George 

5 

Whited,  J.  J.  &  Co., 

3 

Miller,  C.  B. 

15 

228  HTSTOBY  OF   XEWlUliOIl. 


hotwomi  Middlctmvn  and  Otisvill(\  Tlio  work  was  caniiHl  forward 
undor  tlu>  aiiTociucnt  until  in  18-47.  wlicii.  by  roasoii  of  ononnous  ox- 
piMiditnn>s  upon  the  main  line  bctwtMMi  OtisvilU'  and  Hin,<;liauiton,  and 
when  only  about  |^11^>,000  (tlu>  amount  subsnibod  at  X('wburi;-10  had 
btM'u  expended  upon  the  bianeh,  the  Erie  company  was  so  presstnl  tor 
money  that  a  suspiMision  oi'  the  work  upon  tlie  braneh  was  deemed 
imperative.  To  prevent  this,  and  to  bridue  over  the  neec^ssitios  of 
the  hour,  the  Newburgh  director  agreed  to  negotiate  the  acceptances 
of  the  company  for  eaidi  successive  monthly  estimate  until  January, 
184\).  at  whii'h  time  all  were  to  nuiture.  During  this  time  the  further 
sum  of  $loO,000  was  expended  upon  the  branch. 

The  opening  ol  tlie  main  line  of  the  Krie  to  Hinghamton,  on  th(> 
•27th  o\'  Oecember,  1S48,  was  attended  liy  a  cost  far  exceeding  the 
estiniatt's,  and  the  linanees  oi'  ilie  euni|iany  were  corri'spondingly 
embarrasseil;  added  to  this  were  hea\y  drains  foi-  work  tluMi  being" 
vigorously  pushed  upon  tlu'  Susipiclianna  division,  so  that  the  direc- 
tory, ill  January,  1849,  deemed  themselves  tore(>d  to  discontinue  the 
expenditures  upon  the  l>ranch.  At  this  juncture  tlu^  Newburgh  direc- 
tor proposed  to  raise  the  smn  of  |;l4;i.000  upon  the  ai'ceptances  ol'  the 
company,  to  mature  May.  1851.  and  to  jiay  the  same  to  the  company, 
provided  responsilile  parties  in  Newburgh  wmdd  endorse  the  accept- 
ances, and  also  provided  the  i-omjiaiiy  would  exi'cute  a  mortg'ag'e 
upon  the  branch  as  security  tor  tlu>  anuuint.  In  view  o['  the  compul- 
sory clause  of  tlu>  act  of  1845,  ndeasing*  the  company  from  tlu'  pay- 
ment of  the  $8.(H)0.000  loan,  conditioncHl  upon  tinishing-  the  road  to 
Dunkirk  and  also  the  Newburgh  branch,  in  May,  18f>l,  and  as  a 
tinaiu'ial  measure,  tin'  board  iA'  ilirectors  at'cepted  the  proposition 
and   ado|ited    the   following   preandije   and    n^solution: 

At  a  meeting  of  the  directors  of  the  New  York  and  Erio  Railroad  Comjiany.  the  following 
preamble  and  rosolution  wtMv  unanimously  adoptml  (January  10th,  LS4t)): 

"■Wheroas,  thori'  lias  atioady  boon  cxiH'uih'd  upon  tlio  Ni'wburuh  branch,  in  conformity 
to  agrocniont.  alxuit  tlic  sum  of  two  hundred  and  forty-tivo  thousand  dollars,  whii'li,  to- 
gether with  tlu>  sums  necessary  to  complete  the  present  contracts,  say  twenty  thousand 
dollars,  will  nearly  make  up  tbe  ann>unt  retpiired  to  be  advanced  by  this  company  toward 
the  construction  of  said  braiu'ti  road,  as  per  auieenu'Ut  of  I'.ltli  I\[arch.  IS-to;  and  wlierens. 
the  inhabitants  of  Newburgh,  in  order  to  secure  the  completion  of  the  said  road  by  the 
tirst  ilay  of  September  next,  jiropose  to  advance  upon  the  aeceptaiu'cs  of  this  company 
$14:5.0(10  for  that  pnri>ose:  and  whereas,  upon  tlie  extension  of  the  nuiin  line  of  our  road 
to  Elmira,  if  not  earlier,  saiil  bramdi  voad  will  l^e  of  threat  value  if  completed;  therefore 

"  Kesolved.  that  the  suiierintendin^'  en^ineir  u]>on  the  Ni'wburf,'h  branch  is  hereby 
authorized  to  draw  upon  tbe  treasurer  of  tliis  eomiiany  in  sums  iu>t  less  tlian  S500  to  an 
auKHint  on  tbe  a.u.Ljregate  of  one  hundred  and  forty-live  thousand  dtdlars.  which  drafts 
shall  be  payable  in  ^lay.  1S;")1  ^the  time  pri'scrilied  by  tlie  law  of  this  state  for  the  com- 
pletion of  said  brani'li  roadK  and  bear  interest  at  seven  per  cent,  per  anmim  payable  half 
yearly;  and  that  Homer  Kanisdell  be  authorized  to  prot-ni-e  the  money  upon  said  accep- 
tances and  deposit  it  with  the  treasurer  to  be  ajiplicd  toward  the  i)nrcluise  of  iron  rails 
and  completion  of  said  Iiranch  road  as  aforesaid;  and  that  the  jiresident  is  hereliy  author- 
ized to  issue  such  orders  as  sluiU  be  necessary  to  carrv  out  the  intention  of  the  foregoing 
preamble  and  resolution."  A  true  copy,     "       N.\TIIAlsIEL  MAKSH.  Secy. 

"In   consideration    of   and   in    conformity   to"    this   }iri'amble   and 
resolution,  the   following   persons    made  written  agreement,  tm  the 


RA  Tl H OA  T>  ENTERPR  TSKS. 


229 


Daniel  Farrington, 

$1,000 

A.  A  M.  H.  Belknaii, 

1,000 

Jno.  J.  Monell, 

1,000 

Corwiii,  Halsey  &  Co., 

1,000 

Richard  C.  Sniitli, 

1,000 

Geor{<(tM(!cklem, 

500 

Spier  it.  VVilwon, 

500 

Enocli  (!iirt(!r, 

500 

Odd]  S.  Hathaway, 

3,000 

Christopher  J5.  Miller, 

2,000 

Aaron  B.  Belknap, 

1,000 

15th  Jannui'y,  1849,  to  ('iidorsc  the  iicccptanccs  of"  the  Eric  company 

fur  tlic  sums  set  opposite  tlieir  names: 

T.  Powell  &  Co.,  $45,000 

J.  BeveridKe  A  Co.,  25,000 

John  P.  DeWint,  25,000 

B.  Cai-itenter  &  Co.,  10,000 

Adam  IJlhurn,  1,000 

Crawford,  Mailler  &  Co.,  20,000 

J.  V.  B.  Fowler  &  Co.,  1,000 

F.  Gerard  and  Jas.  DeGroff,  1,000 

Wm.  C.  Hasbrouok,  ]  ,000 

N.  Reeve,  1,000 

Corns.  C.  Smith,  1,000 

Stan  ton ,  CI  ark  &  Co . ,  1 ,000 

BenJ.  TyI(T,  1,000                                                               $145,500 

'l'lies(!  acceptances  w(!re  also  all  endoi'sod  by  Thomas  Powell  &  Co. 
On  the  23d  of  February  lollowin<^-,  iMessrs.  Powell,  Rainsdell  &  (Jo. 
and  J.  Beveridg-e  &  (Jo.  purchased  2,000  tons  of  rnilroad  iron,  then  in 
in  the  hands  of  Davis,  Brooks  &  (Jo.,  at  $40  per  ton  and  duties  there- 
on, lor  which  the  notes  of  Powell  &  (Jo.  wcsre  g^iven  foi- $55,000,  and 
the  notes  of  Beveridg'c  &  (Jo.  for  $28,000.  In  addition  to  the  iron, 
llomei-  Ilamsdell  purchased  the  depot  gidunds— embracing-  the  riv(n' 
front  between  the  Whaling  com|)any'8  dock  and  the  north  line  of 
Western  Avenue,  and  also  a  lot  south  of  the  dock  of  John  W.  Wells, 
fronting-  1(55  feet  oil  Water  street  and  the  river — pa^'ing-  for  the  same 
$20,000.  The  property  of  John  W.  Wells,  91  feet  on  the  river,  with 
a  (piit  i-laim  to  one  half  of  West(;rn  Avenue,  was  condemned  and 
taken  on  the  award  of  commissioners  at  $40,000.  On  settlement  in 
June,  it  was  found  that  Powell  &  Co.  wer(!  at  that  time,  through  en- 
dorsements, acceptances,  and  advances,  responsible  lor  $202,219.  The 
capital  thus  furnished  compk^ted  tlie  branch,  and  on  th(!  9th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1850,  its  opening  was  celebi-a,ted  with  ap{)i-opriat(!  festivities. 

The  first  depot  building-  of  the  branch  was  erected  a  sly)rt  distance 
south  of  those  now  occupied.  The  present  building-s  were  erected  by 
Mr.  Ramsdell  in  1870,  and  leased  by  him,  tog((th(;r  with  the;  dock  (for- 
merly the  Whaling-  company's  wharf),  to  the  Erie  comj)any,  the  com- 
pany having-  the  option  to  purchase  them  and  the  land  upon  which  they 
are  located.  The  orig-inal  track  ol'  the  road  was  laid  in  Front  street 
as  far  north  as  Fifth.  It  was  once  passed  over,  a,nd  then  abandoned 
by  common  consent;   its  rails  remain  bedded  under  the  pavement. 

The  old  Delaware  and  Hudson  comjjany  left  Ix'hind,  as  the  only 
memorials  of  its  existence,  a  partly  g-rad(;d  track,  and  the  stock  sub- 
scription of  the  villag-e  oi'  \ewburg-h  ($10,000),  upon  the  debt  for 
which  the  interest  has  lieen  annually  paid  since  1838.  The  details  of 
its  history,  as  well  as  those  of  the  construction  of  the  branch,  now 
serve  as  monuments  to  the  memory  of  those  who  were  its  projectors 
and  supporters.  Thi;  eflfort  of  1837  is  now  an  a,C(;om))lislied  fact:  the 
coal  mines  of  Pennsylvania  are  in  connection  with  Newburgh  by  rail; 


5^30  msToRY  OF  NmrBimon. 


but  tlie  advantages  of  the  earlier  enterprise  passed  away,  to  a  very 
large  extent,  with  its  opportunity. 

WARWICK    VALLEY    RAILROAD. 

Although  not  strictl}'"  a  Newburgh  enterprise,  the  Warwick  Valley 
railroad — consti-ucted  in  part  by  Newburgli  capital  and  constituting 
a  portion  of  the  proposed  line  extending  from  the  Delaware  (Water 
Gap)  to  a  connection  with  the  Newburgh  branch  at  Chester — enters 
into  intimate  relation  with  the  history  of  its  railroad  enterprises. 
Inmiediattdy  following  the  completion  of  the  Newburgh  branch,  the 
project  of  its  extension  to  the  Delawaiv  was  considered,  and  a  survey 
and  maps  made;  but  nothing  further  was  accomjilished.  In  1859, 
Mr.  Grinnell  Burt,  and  other  residents  of  Warwick,  practically  revived 
the  project  by  organizing  the  "Warwick  Valley  Railroad  Company'' 
under  the  following  board  of  directors:  (Trinnell  Burt,  John  Huther- 
ford,  Thomas  B.  DeKay,  Ezra  Sanford,  James  B.  Wheeler,  Milton 
McEwen,  James  Burt,  John  H.  Brown,  John  L.  Welling,  Wm.  Herrick, 
James  P.  Houston,  and  Nathan  R.  Wheeler.  On  organization  the 
directors  elected  Grinnell  Burt,  president;  Milton  McEwen  vice  presi- 
dent; James  B.  Wheeler,  treasurer;  Wm.  Herrick,  secretary.  The 
capital  stock  was  $100,000,  of  which  Newburgli  furnished  $10,500. 
When  the  road  was  completed  the  bonded  and  floating  debt  amounted 
to  a  little  over  $100,000,  forty  per  cent,  of  which  has  since  been  paid 
out  of  the  earnings  of  the  road,  and  a  surplus  of  an  equal  amount 
has  been  expended  to  extend  the  road  to  the  New  Jersey  state  line. 
In  consideration  of  these  payments  and  to  create  a  surplus  fund,  a 
stock  dividend  of  one  hundred  per  cent,  was  declared  to  the  stock- 
holders in  1867.  Regular  annual  dividends  of  seven  per  cent,  have 
been  paid  from  the  earnings  of  the  it)ad,  showing  that,  aside  from  the 
advantages  which  it  has  conferred  upon  the  district  which  it  traverses, 
it  has  been  a  pecuniary  success.  Mr.  Grinnell  Burt  has  been  the 
president  and  superintendent  since  the  organization  of  the  company. 
John  L.  Welling  has  served  for  many  years  as  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. Robert  A.  Forsyth  and  Wm.  L.  F.  Warren,  of  Newburgh,  were 
early  members  of  the  board  of  directors,  and  subsequently  Homer 
Ramsdell.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Forsyth,  Isaac  C.  Chapman  was 
elected  his  successor. 

newhur(;h  and  new  vork  RAn>ROAn. 

The  Newburgh  and  New  York  railroad  company  was  organized  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  December  20tli,  1864 — Samuel  Marsh,  Daniel 
Drew,  John  Aniot,  Isaac  N.  Phelps,  Robert  H.  Burdell,  Dudley  S. 
Gregory,  Ambrose  S.  Murray,  J.  C.  Bancroft  Davis,  H.  L.  Pierson, 
Alexander  S.  Diven,  Thomas  W.  Gale,  John  J.  Monell,  Thomas  H. 
Bate,  directors;  J.  C.  Bancroft  Davis,  president;   Horatio  N.  Otis,  sec- 


nATlROAl)  ENTERPmSEH.  231 


I'etary.  Tlie  capital  stock  was  fixed  at  $500,000,  of  which  over 
$1000  per  mile  was  immediately  subscribed  and  paid  up.  The  project 
was  based  on  a  ])roposition  for  a  west  shore  road  from  New  York  to 
Albany,  which,  by  its  construction,  would  only  lack  sixty  miles  of 
completion.  Aside  from  the  directors  named,  who  subscribed  ten 
shares  ($100)  each,  (xeorg-c  Clark,  and  Enoch  Carter,  of  Nevvburg-h, 
subscribed  one  share  each;  F.  A.  DeWint  of  Fishkill,  one;  and  John 
Hilt(m,  H.  N.  Otis,  Chas.  Minot,  L.  E.  Tillotson,  J.  W.  Guppy,  Wm.  R. 
Barr,  N.  Finch,  E.  W.  Brown,  and  J.  D.  White,  of  New  York,  each 
one.  The  road  being-  less  than  iifteen  miles  in  length,  the  number  of 
directors  was  reduced  to  seven,  in  conformity  with  the  general  rail- 
road law,  in  December,  18<)7,  when  John  S.  Eldridge,  Jay  Gould,  J.  C. 
B.  Davis,  Daniel  Drew,  A.  S.  Diveu,  Henry  Thompson,  and  Homer 
Ramsdell,  were  elected.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1808,  Mr.  Ramsdell 
was  elected  president.  He  resigned  July  7,  1869,  and  James  Fisk, 
Jr.,  was  elected.  The  line  was  surveyed  by  John  W .  Houston,  engi- 
neer; the  contract  for  construction  was  awarded  to  Peter  Ward  and 
William  Leary,  of  Newburg'h,  Aug.  1,  18(58,  and  the  work  completed 
Sept.  1,  1869.  The  road  was  subsequently  leased  to  the  Erie  company, 
that  company  supplying  the  capital  required  for  its  construction. 

The  understo(td  willingnc^ss  of  the  company  to  second  any  eftbrt  to 
extend  the  connections  of  the  road,  gave  rise  to  what  have  been  called 
"  the  Newburgh  paper  railroads,"  the  first  of  which,  the 

NEWBUROH    AND    WAI,LKILL    VALLKV    RAILROAD, 

took  the  form  of  a  company  to  construct  a  road  from  Newburgh  to 
Walden,  connecting  at  Vail's  Gate  with  the  Erie  branch  and  with  the 
Newburgh  and  New  York  road.  The  company  was  organized  in  the 
winter  of  186'T-'68  by  the  election  of  directors  and  officers.  In  May 
following  (May  9),  the  legislature  passed  an  act  making  it  lawful 
"for  the  common  council  of  the  city  of  Newburgh  to  borrow,  on  the 
faith  and  credit  of  said  city,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars"  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the  road,  and  to  issue 
•the  bonds  of  the  city  therefor — on  condition  that  the  ccmsent  should 
first  be  obtained,  in  writing,  of  a  majority  of  the  tax  payers  of  the 
city,  who  should  also  own  or  represent  more  than  one  half  of  the  tax- 
able real  and  personal  property  of  the  city.  At  the  time  the  project 
was  undertaken,  the  disposition  of  the  Newburgh  and  New  York 
company  to  second. the  enterprise  was  not  generally  understood  as  a 
tangible  agreement,  and  tliis  fact,  conjded  witii  an  expressed  oppo- 
sition to  the  Vail's  (iate  route, nn  the  part  of  several  leading  citizens, 
led  to  a  iailure  in  obtaining  the  consent  required  to  bond  the  city, 
and  necessarily  to  a  suspension  oi"  the  furthei-  prosecution  of  the  un- 
dertaking-. 


232  msTon  r  of  newb  ur ok 


NEWBURGH    AND    MIDLAND    RAILROAD. 

The  proposition  to  construct  a  road  tVoin  the  vicinity  of  West  New- 
burg'h  to  Walden  and  thence  to  Fair  Oaks,  there  to  connect  with  the 
MidUind,  was  the  outgrowth  of  the  effort  on  behalf  of  the  Newburgli 
and  Wallkill  Valley  road,  and  took  definite  form  in  the  organization 
of  the  "  Newburgh  and  Midland  Railway  Company" — George  Clark, 
president;  Odell  S.  Hathaway,  vice  president;  Alfred  Post,  treasurer; 
John  Dales,  secretary;  George  Clark,  Abram  S.  Cassedy,  A.  T.  Rand, 
Bradbury  C.  Bartlett,  Odell  S.  Hathaway,  Seth  M.  (^apron,  David 
Moore,  James  W.  Taylor,  Alfred  Post,  William  R.  Brown,  William  J. 
Roe,  Jr.,  Lewis  M.  Smith,  Wm.  0.  Mailler,  directors. 

To  build  tliis  road  et^brt  was  made  to  bond  the  city  for  $500,000, 
under  the  general  act  authorizing  municipal  corporations  to  aid  in  the 
construction  of  railroads.  What  was  presumed  to  be  the  consent  of 
a  majority  of  the  tax  payers,  and  also  of  a  majority  of  the  taxable 
property  of  the  city,  was  obtained.  On  examination  of  the  list  before 
Hon.  Thomas  George,  county  judge,  it  was  held  by  him  that  wliile  the 
petition  for  consent  to  bond  was  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  tax 
payers,  the  signatures  did  not  represent  a  majority  of  the  taxable 
property  of  the  city — $555,099  of  the  amount  being  held  by  execu- 
tors, administrators,  etc.,  whose  right  to  thus  represent  the  trusts 
which  they  held,  was  denied.  An  appeal  was  taken  to  the  supreme 
court,  whicli,  at  general  term,  January,  1812,  affirmed  the  decision  of 
Judge  George — ^Justices  Tappen  and  Gilbert  concurring,  Justice  Bar- 
nard dissenting.  This  decision  ended  the  undertaking,  and  with  it 
the  last  of  the  Newburgh  railroad  enterprises. 


BANK    OF    NEWBURGH. 


The  Bank  of  Newburgh  was  incorporated  by  act  of  the  legislature, 
passed  Mai'ch  22,  1811,  on  the  petition  of  Jacob  Powell.  John  Mcx\ulay, 
Chanc}^  Belknap  and  Jonathan  Fisk.*  Tlu'  capital  named  was  $120,- 
000,  in  shares  of  $50  each;  and  the  state  reserved  the  right  to  sub- 
scribe to  the  stock  any  amount  not  exceeding  one  thousand  shares. 
The  first  directors  were:  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.,  Jacob  Powell,  Selah 
Reeve,  Chancy  Belknap,  Freegift  Tuthill,  Leonard  Carpenter,  Saml. 
S.  Seward,  Jonathan  Hedges,  Francis  Crawford,  James  Hamilton, 
John  D.  Lawson,  and  Richard  Trimble,  elected  by  the  stockholders; 
and  William  Ross  and  Jonathan  Fisk  appointed  on  the  part  of  the 
state.  The  stock  was  all  taken  soon  after  the  passage  of  the  act  of 
incorporation;  and  on  the   15th  June,  the  corner-stone  of  the  pres- 

*  Notice  is  hereby  given,  that  tho  suhseribers  and  others,  intend  to  petition  the  Icgishi- 
tiire  of  this  state,  at  its  next  session,  fur  a  hiw  of  ineorporation  to  estabUsh  a  bank  in 
the  village  of  Newburgh.  in  tlie  county  of  Orange,  the  capital  stock  to  consist  of  Four 
Hundred  Thousand  Dollars.     Dated,  Newburgh,  January  1st,  ISll. 

CHANCY  BELKNAP.  JACOB  POWELL, 

JONATHAN  FISK,  JOHN  McAULAY. 


BANKING  INSTITUTIONS.  "    233 


ent  banking  hoiisO  was  laid.*  Tlie  building  was  completed  and  the 
bank  was  opened  for  business  on  the  9th  of  September, 

The  charter  of  1811  continued  until  1830,  when  the  stock  held  by 
the  state  was  withdrawn,  the  bank  was  reiirganizcd  under  the  safety 
fund  hiw,  and  the  capital  increased  to  $140,000.  In  1851,  the  capital 
was  furtlu'r  increasixl  to  $200,000,  when  tlie  bank  was  reorganized 
under  the  general  banking  law.  In  September,  1852,  the  capital 
was  increased  to  $300,000.f 

The  first  president  of  the  bank  was  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.,  and  the  first 
cashier,  John  S.  Hunn.  Wm.  Walsh  succeeded  Mr.  Belknap  in  1827, 
and  served  until  his  death  in  1839,  when  John  Cliairibers  was  elected. 
Mr.  Chambers  servcid  until  his  death  in  1854,  when  (xcorge  W.  K(;rr 
was  elected.  Mr.  Hunn  was  succ(!ed(!(l  in  the  cashi(irship  by  Freder- 
ick W.  Farnum;  Mr.  Furiium  by  Wm.  M.  Vcnniilyea;  Mr.  VermilyeaJ 
by  Levi  Dodge;  Mr.  Dodge,  in  I83tt,  by  (ieorge  W.  Kerr;  and  Mr. 
Kerr,  in  1854,  by  Francis  Scott.  On  the  5th  of  July,  1864,  the  bank 
was  organized  as  a  national  bank — (xeorge  W.  Ki'vv,  president,  and 
John  J.  S.  McOroskery,  cashier — and  its  capital  raised  to  $800,000. 

BRANCH    BANK    OK    NKWBUR(iH. 

In  1818,  the  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Newburgh  determined  to  es- 
tablish a  branch  at  Ithaca;  the  arrangements  for  which  were  perfected 
and  the.  institution  went  into  opcu'ation  on  the  15th  of  F'ebruary,  1820, 
under  the  following  officers:  Luther  Gore,  president;  Charles  W.  Con- 
nor, cashier;  Benj.  Johnson,  Joseph  Benjamin,  Levi  Leonard,  Calvin 
Burr,  Herman  Camp,  and  Charles  A.  Morrell,  directors.  The  branch 
continued  in  operation  until  1830,  when,  on  the  expiration  of  the  old 
charter,  it  was  discontinued. 

HKJHLAND    BANK. 

In  1833,  application  was  made  to  the  legislature  to  incorp(jrate  the 
Highland  Bank;  but  the  bill  was  lost  in  the  senate.  This  result  was 
followed  by  a  meeting  of  citizens  at  the  Mansion  House,  April  20, 
1833,  "  to  take  into  consideration  such  measures  as  might  be  deemed 
necessary  to  obtain  an  increase  of  the  banking  capital  of  Newburgh." 
Of  this  meeting  Selah  Reeve  was  chosen  president;  Daniel  Farring- 
toh  and  Robert  Lawson,  vice  presidents;  and  Abraham  M.  Smith  and 
Aaron  Belknap,  secretaries.     After  the  passage  of  a  resolution  regret- 


*  On  Saturday,  June  15th,  1811,  the  president  and  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Newburgh, 
assisted  by  the  master  mason,  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the  banking  house,  in  Water  street. 
The  building  is  to  be  of  brick,  thirty  feet  front,  forty-six  deep,  three  stories  high,  and 
finished  in  a  liandsome  style. — bidex. 

t  The  incn^ase  of  the  capital  of  the  bank,  here  referred  to,  was  made  by  the  sale  by 
auction  of  the  stock,  on  Tuesday,  Sept.  2d,  1852.  The  increase  was  mainly  taken  by  the 
old  stockholders,  and  yielded  a  premium  of  $14,130.75. 

X  Mr.  Vermilyea  tendered  his  resignation  for  the  purpose  of  accepting  the  appointment  of 
cashier  of  the  Merchant's  Exchange  Bank  of  New  York,  which  commenced  business  in 
September,  1831. 


234  HISTORY  OP  NEwniTmn. 

ting  the  defeat  of  the  bill,  committees  were  appointed  to  renew  and 
circulate  petitions  to  the  next  leg-islature.  The  second  application 
was  successful;  the  charter  passed  the  legislature  April  26,  1834.* 

The  charter  capital  of  the  bank  was  $200,000.  Nathaniel  Jones, 
Egbert  Jansen,  Robert  Fowler,  Nathl.  P.  Hill,  John  F(»rsyth,  James 
Belknap,  Aaron  Noyes,  Noah  Mathewson,  and  Christopher  Reeve 
were  appointed  commissioners  to  receive  stock  subscriptions.  In  a 
few  weeks  nearly  double  the  capital  required  was  subscrib(>d,  and  a 
pro  rata  distribution  of  the  stock  became  necessary. 

The  bank  was  organized  on  the  21st  of  July,  1834,  under  the  fol- 
lowing officers:  Directors — Gilbert  0.  Fowler,  Samuel  Williams,  Jack- 
son Oakley,  Thomas  Powell,  Charles  Borland,  Jr.,  Daniel  Farrington, 
Benj.  H.  Mace,  James  Belknap,  Benj.  Carpenter,  Nathl.  Jones,  Abm. 
Vail,  Robert  Fowler.  Gilbert  0.  Fowler,  president,  and  James  Belk- 
nap, cashier.  Mr.  Belknap  subsequently  resigned,  and  Thos.  C.  Ring 
was  elected.  Mr.  Ring  resigned  in  1838,  and  Robert  Burnett  held  the 
office  until  his  death  in  1840,  wiien  (May  10)  Alfred  Post  was  elected. 
Mr.  Fowler  served  as  president  until  his  death,  when  George  Cornwell 
was  elected.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Cornwell  (Nov.  18(i7),  Mr.  Post 
was  elected  president  and  M.  C.  Belknap,  cashier.  Directors  in  1861: 
Alfred  Post,  John  W.  Brown,  David  Moore,  Ed.  R.  Johnes,  Jas.  W. 
Taylor,  Peter  V.  B.  Fowler,  Robt.  Denniston,  Thaddeus  Hait,  John 
Lomas,  Walter  S.  Vail,  George  A.  Elliott. 

The  capital  of  the  bank  was  increased  to  $350,000  ($100,000  from 
surplus  and  $50,000  new  stock),  Jan.  1,  1865.  It  was  organized  as  a 
national  bank,  April  22,  1865,  and  its  capital  increased  to  $450,000. 

POWELL    BANK. 

The  Powell  Bank  was  organized  December  12,  1838,  as  an  associated 
bank — with  a  capital  of  $135,000.  The  first  directors  and  officers 
were:  Directors — Thos.  Powell,  Samuel  Williams,  Daniel  Farrington, 
Benj.  Carpenter,  Charles  Halstead,  Homer  Ramsdell,  Wni.  L.  F. 
Warren.  Thomas  Powell,  president;  Saml.  Williams,  vice  president; 
Thos.  C.  Ring,  cashier;  Natlianiel  R.  Belknap,  teller.  The  capital 
stock  was  held  by  Hiram  Bennett,  A.  &  M.  H.  Belknap,  Benj.  Carpenter 
&  Co.,  Daniel  Farrington,  A.  P.  Johnes,  H.  Ramsdell,  Rtie  &  Darby, 
Thos.  Powell,  Gecjrge  Sneed,  and  Samuel  Williams. 

In  January,  1843,  the  stockholders,  with  the  exception  of  Th(ts. 
Powell  and  Homer  Ramsdell,  withdrew  their  stock,  and  the  institution 
became  an  individual  bank,  with  a  capital  of  $110,000, — Thos.  Powell, 
president;  Homer  Ramsdell,  vice  president;  and  T.  C.  Ring,  cashier. 
Messrs.  Powell  and  Ramsdell  subsequently  increased  the  capital  tu 
$175,000.     The  bank  was  discontinued  in  1851.1 

*  Ante  p.  193.    f  Ante  p.  194, 196. 


BANKING  INSTITUTIONS.  285 


QUASSAICK    BANK. 

The  drg'anization  of  the  Quassaick  Bank  was  based  on  the  assumed 
necessity  fur  a  larger  banking  capital  to  accommodate  the  business  of 
the  village.  The  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Newbnrgh  endeavored  to 
supply  this  want  by  increasing  the  capital  stock  of  that  institution 
$100,000;  but  this  addition  proved  inadequate  to  the  demand.  On 
Thursday  evening,  September  4th,  1851,  a  meeting  of  citizens  was 
held  at  the  Orange  Hotel  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  subject. 
David  Crawford  was  chosen  chairman,  and  O;  M.  Smith  secretary. 
After  addresses  by  Wm.  Fullerton,  W.  E.  Warren,  S.  W.  Eager,  T.  M. 
Niven,  and  others,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  name  suitable  per- 
sons fitr  directors,  and  also  to  suggest  a  title  for  the  institution.  On 
the  report  of  this  committee,  a  board  of  directors  was  nominated,  and 
"The  Quassaick  Bank,"  adopted  as  the  title. 

On  the  81st  of  March,  1852,  the  bank  was  formally  organized  by 
the  adoption  of  articles  of  association,  and  coirunenced  business  with 
a  capital  of  $180,000  in  the  spring  of  that  year.  The  first  officers 
were:  Directors — E.  W.  Farrington,  J.  I.  Crawford,  I.  R.  Carpenter, 
Asa  Sterling,  Isaiah  Townsend,  Charles  U.  Cushman,  John  Jamison, 
W.  K.  Mailler,  Jas.  Patton,  John  J.  Monell.  A  vacancy  in  the  board 
was  filled,  at  the  ensuing  election  in  May,  by  the  election  of  David 
Moore.  At  the  organization  of  the  bank  E.  W.  Farrington  was  chosen 
president;  Jonathan  N.  Weed,  cashier,  and  W.  H.  Gerard,  teller.  D. 
(xillis  Leonard  succeeded  Mr.  Farrington  in  May,  1862,  and  Odell  S. 
Hathaway  was  elected  in  September,  1864,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occa- 
sioned by  the  death  of  Mr.  Leonard  in  May  of  that  year.  James  N. 
Dickey  was  elected  teller  in  1863.  The  capital  of  the  bank  was  in- 
creased to  $200,000,  Sept.  1852;  and  to  $300,000,  March,  1854.  It 
was  organized  as  a  national  bank  June  3,  1865,  the  capital  remain- 
ing unchanged. 

NEWBURGH    SAVINGS    BANK. 

By  act  of  the  legislature  passed  April  13,  1852,  E.  W.  Farrington, 
John  J.  Monell,  Charles  U.  Cushman,  Robert  L.  Case,  Robert  A.  For- 
syth, Richard  A.  Southwick,  Odell  S.  Hathaway,  Gilbert  C.  Monell, 
David  H.  Barclay,  Adam  Lilburn,  Saml.  W.  Eagin-,  Corns.  C.  Smith, 
Robert  Sterling,  Robert  D.  Kemp,  Charles  Drake,  David  Moore,  John 
H.  Waters,  James  I.  Crawford,  James  Patton,  Wm.  K.  Mailler,  Benj. 
Carpenter,  T.  M.  Niven,  and  their  successors,  were  constituted  "  a 
body  corporate  and  politic,  by  the  name  of  The  Newburgh  Savings 
Bank."  The  bank  commenced  business  January  1,  1853,  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers,  viz:  Robert  L.  Case,  president;  O.  S.  Hathaway  and 
E.  W.  Farrington,  vice  presidents;  (!harles  V.  Cushman,  secretary  and 
treasurer.      In  1854,  E.  W .  Farrington  was  elected  president;  Charles 


236 


BISTORT  OF  NEWBURGH. 


Halstead,  Jr.,  treasurer;  G.  C.  Monell,  secretary.  In  1858,  Daniel  B. 
St.  Jolm,  president;  Tiios.  C  King,  treasurer;  J.  R.  Wiltsie,  secretary. 
These  officers  were  continued  until  1872,  when  the  Rev.  John  Forsyth 

was  elected  pi-esident.  He  was 
succeeded  by  J.  DeWitt  Walsh, 
wlio  served  untilJanuary,1813, 
when  Mr.  St.  John  was  reelect- 
ed, and  Mr.  'Ring  entered  upon 
liis  seventeenth  year  as  treas- 
urer. The  deposits  on  the  1st 
July,  1859,  were  $124,000;  July 
1st,  1875,  $2,467,100. 

In  the  summer  of  1866,  the 
directors  conmienced  the  erec- 
tion of  the  building-  now  occu- 
pied by  the  bank — Vaux,  With- 
ers &  Co.,  architects;  Franklin 
Gerard,  m  a  s  o  n  ;  McClung  & 
Deyo,  carpenters.  It  was  com- 
pleted in  1868,  and  occupied  by  the  bank  in  October  of  that  year. 
Its  cost  was  about  $130,000,  which  was  paid  from  the  earning-s  of 
the  bank. 

BANK    SUSPENSIONS. 

The  Bank  of  Newburg-h  and  the  Highland  Bank  suspended  specie 
payments  May  12,  1887.  On  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  directors 
and  officers  held  a  meeting"  and  passed  the  following  among  other 
resolutions : 

' '  Resolved,  That  duiiug  the  suspension  of  specie  payments  by  the  New  York  city  banks, 
it  will  be  prudent  and  necessary  for  the  village  banks  to  retain  their  specie  for  the  use  of 
the  town  and  county,  to  be  used  in  the  ordinary  business  of  the  county. 

"Resolved.  That  the  banks  will,  therefore,  for  the  present,  suspend  pajing  specie  for 
the  redemption  of  their  bills — other  than  such  as  may  be  ottered  by  our  citizens  to  obtain 
small  sums  for  the  prosecution  of  their  accustomed  business.'' 

At  11  o'ch)ck,  the  same  day,  a  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  the 
Orange  Hotel — John  Ledyard,  chairman;  Christopher  Reeve  and  David 
Sands,  secretaries.  After  reading  tiic  resolutions  adopted  by  the 
banks,  their  course  was  approved. 

In  consequence  of  this  action,  the  banks  were  able  to  supply  specie 
to  the  public  during  the  whole  of  the  period  of  suspension.  On  the 
1st  of  September,  1837,  the  Bank  of  Newburgh  held  $23,921  in  specie, 
and  the  Highland  Bank  $15,450.  The  suspensions  of  1857,  were  made 
in  a  similar  manner.  While  amply  prepared  to  redeem  their  circula- 
tion in  g-old  and  silver,  the  suspension  of  New  York  city  banks  ren- 
dered the  same  course  necessary  on  the  part  of  those  of  Newburgh. 
The  suspension  of  specie  payments  growing  out  of  the  war  of  the 


INCORPORATED    COMPANIES.  237 


rebellion  practically  began  on  the  30tli  of  December,  1861,  when  the 
New  York  city  banks  suspended,  and  has  continued  since  that  time, 
under  tlie  substitution  for  gold  and  silver  of  an  irredeemable  national 
currency. 

XFAVBURGH    WHALING    COMPANY. 

The  precise  date  of  the  organization  of  this  ctnnpany  caimot  now 
be  ascertained,  but  the  first  entry  of  stock  was  made  on  the  31st  De- 
cember, 1831.  On  the  24th  of  January,  1832,  the  legislature  passed 
an  act  incorporating  the  company,  by  the  terms  of  which  "William 
Roe,  John  P.  DeWint,  Abraham  M.  Smith,  John  Harris,  Benoni  H. 
Howoll,  Samuel  Williams,  Benj.  Carpenter,  Christopher  Reeve  and 
Augustus  F.  Schofield,"  and  such  others  as  were  then  or  might  there- 
after be  associatinl  with  tlxMii,  were  empowered  to  engage  "in  the 
whale  fishery  in  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans,  and  elsewhere,  and 
in  the  manufacture  of  oil  and  spermaceti  candles."  The  capital  stock 
was  fix(;d  at  $200,000  in  shares  of  $50;  but  the  company  was  author- 
ized to  commence  business  as  soon  as  $50,000  should  be  subscribed 
and  paid  in.  The  persons  named  in  the  act  were  to  be  the  first  direc- 
tors of  the  con)pany,  and  were  also  to  act  as  commissioners  to  re- 
ceive sul)scripti()ns  to  the  stock.  Directors  were  to  be  elected  on  the 
first  Tuesday  in  January  of  each  year;  the  company  authorized  to 
purchase  and  hold  real  estate  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars,  and  to  have  and  perform  all  the  rights  and  privi- 
leges of  an  incorporated  company,  with  the  only  restriction  that  "no 
foreigner"  sh(mld  "  ever  be  a  stockholder,  or  anywise  interested  in 
said  company."  * 

The  company  was  immediately  organized  under  this  act,  and  William 
Roe  appointed  president;  Aaron  Belknap,  secretary,  and  Alu-aham  M. 
Smith,  agent.  The  books  were  opened  for  subscriptions  and  $109,000, 
or  2186  shares,  of  the  capital  stock  taken.  On  the  1st  of  April,  the 
company  pi;rchased  the  sliip  Portland,  for  $15,250;  in  August,  the 
ship  Russell,  for  $14,500,  and  in  May  following,  the  ship  Illinois,  for 
$12,000.  During  the  same  year,  they  also  erected  a  large  store-house 
on  Water  str(>et,  near  First  street,  and  a  commodious  wliarf.  The 
ships  purchas(;d  were  fitted  out  and  made  two  voyages  each.  The 
Portland  was  under  command  of  Capt.  Cook;  the  Russell,  under  Capt. 
Brock;  and  the  Illinois,  first  voyage,  Capt,  Leonard — second  voyage, 
Capt.  Merchant. 

The  business  of  the  company  was  continued  until   1837.     In    1834, 

*  The  act  encountered  considerable  opposition  in  the  assembly,  as  appears  from  the 
debate  on  the  18th  January.  Mr.  King,  in  reply  to  Mr.  Myers,  said,  that  "the  reason  why 
an  act  of  incorporation  was  asked  for,  in  this  instance,  was  l)ecanse  the  present  stock 
company  in  Newbtirgh  was  unable  in  any  other  way,  to  collect  the  necessary  capital  for 
the  pros'ecution  of  their  business  on  such  a  scale  as  they  could  wish,  or  as  would  be  advan- 
tageous to  the  company." — Telegraph,  Jan.  26,  1832. 


238  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

Charles  Ludlow,  David  W.  Bato,  John  Harris,  Kduuiiid  Saiixay,  Ahra- 
ham  M.  Smitli,  James  G.  Clinton,  Daniel  Farrington,  David  M.  DuBois 
and  Joim  Chambers  were  chosen  directors.  In  the  presidency,  John 
D.  Lawson  succeeded  Mr.  Koe  in  1833,  and  Charles  Ludlow  succeeded 
Mr.  Lawson  in  1834.  I'riah  Lockwood  succeeded  Mr.  Belknap,  and 
James  Belknap,  Mr.  Lock  wood,  as  secretary.  The  last  voyage  made 
was  by  the  ship  Portland,  Capt.  Cook,  which  arrived  in  New  York  in 
March,  1837,  with  2100  barrels  whale  oil,  350  barrels  sp(>rm  oil,  and 
19,000  pounds  of  bone.     The  cargo  sold  for  alxmt  $40,000. 

The  enter{)rise,  however,  failed  to  yield  the  profit  anticipati'd  and 
was  abandoned.  Keceivers  werc^  appointed,  the  ships  and  other  prop- 
erty sold,  and  the  stockholders  paid  back  their  original  subscriptions 
with  the  addition  of  a  snuill  dividend.  The  existence  of  the  i-ompany 
ceased  in  1840;  and  in  1846,  its  books,  with  the  exception  of  an  im- 
perfect day-book,  were  destroyed  by  the  fire  which  consumed  the  store 
of  Daniel  Farrington,  in  which  they  wen^  deposited.* 

NKVVBUWiH    STEAM     MIM.S. 

In  the  early  I'art  of  the  year  1844,  a  stock  company  was  formed 
for  the  purpose  of  erecting  mills  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods. 
The  capital  agreed  upon  was  $100, 000, f  and  the  subscriptions  to  the 
stock  were  completed  on  the  'lh{\\  of  May.  On  the  5th  of  Jnn(\  the 
company  was  fornnilly  organized,  and  John  Forsyth,  Hiram  Bennett, 
David  Crawford,  Aaron  P.  Johnes,  Homer  Kamsdell,  Benjamin  Car- 
penter, Christo{)her  Heeve,  I'riah  Lockwood,  and  Daniel  Farrington, 
elected  directors;  Hiram  Bennett,  president;  Homer  Kamsdell,  vice 
president;  Daniel  Farrington,  treasurer;  and  Uriah  Lockwood,  secre- 
tary. On  the  12th  of  June,  the  directors  selected  the  site  and  soon 
after  commenced  the  erection  of  the  necessary  buildings. |  'fhe  works 
wer(>  eompleti'd  and  tlie  manufai'ture  of  cotton  connnenccd  in  1845, 
since  which  time  the  mills  have  continued  in  operation,  and  partial 
tim(>  kept  during  the  most  trying  revulsions.  A  large  portion  of  the 
original  stockholders  have  disposed  of  their  interest,  and  a   majority 


*  In  addition  to  this  ooini)any,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  on  the  2i)tli  of 
April,  1^,  "to  incorporate  the  North  River  Whaling  Company."  The  capital  ot  this 
company  was  tixed  at  #300.000.  John  Forsyth,  Alexander  Falls,  John  Ledyard.  James 
Halstead.  Jonathan  Hasbnnick,  Edmund  Saiixay,  John  W.  Knevols,  John  D.  Phillips  and 
William  (.'.  Hashrouck,  were  named  as  directorsin  the  act.  This  company,  it  issaicl,  owed 
its  (UMgin  to  Jonathan  Hasbnnick.  Beyond  incorporation,  however,  nothing  was  ever  done 
in  its  name. 

t  $100,000  additional  was  obtained  by  loan  tn)m  H.  A  D.  Parish  of  New  York. 

:t  The  trustees  of  the  "Newburgh  Steam  Mills"  held  a  meeting  on  Tuesday  last  to 
select  a  site  for  their  cotton  factory  from  the  several  locations  ottered.  We  learn  that  they 
unanimously  accepted  the  proposals  of  Messrs.  J.  Beveridge  &  Co.,  and  have  taken  their 
lot  at  the  north  part  of  the  village  on  the  immediate  bank  of  the  Hudson.  It  is  "iOo  feet 
in  fr<nit  on  Water  street  and  750  feet  on  the  river.  The  trustees  have  secured  an  advanta- 
geous site  for  then-  works,  and  obtained  the  property  for  the  trifling  consideration  of 
S3,000— Messrs.  Beveridge  k  Co.,  in  connection  with  the  other  holders  of  real  estate  in  that 
vicinity,  engaging  to  build  a  sufticieut  road  on  the  shore  and  a  suitable  wliarf  for  the  estab- 
Ushment — Gazette,  June  15, 184-1. 


SUPPLY  OF  WATER.  239 


dl'  tlic  stock  i8  now  licld  by  Thos.  Garner.  The  main  building  is  two 
hiin(b-ed  and  fifty  feet  long  by  fifty  feet  broad,  and  has  five  floors 
li('si(h'  the  basement — one  Hoor  being  devoted  to  (^acii  of  the  proces- 
ses of  cotton  manufacture.  In  addition  to  this  buikling  is  another 
ninety   by  forty  feet. 

NEWBURGH    GAS-LIGHT    COMPANY. 

This  company  was  organized  in  May,  1851,  with  a  capital  of 
$65,000.  The  following  gentlemen  composed  the  first  board  of  direc- 
tors, viz:  Homer  Kamsdell,  David  Crawford,  E.  W.  Farrington,  and 
.lolm  J.  Monell,  of  Newburgh,  and  J.  A.  Sabaten,  of  Albany,  and  S. 
Sabaten,  of  Newark,  N.  J.  David  Crawford  was  elected  |»resident, 
and  J.  .1.  Monell,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  board.  Gas  was  first 
lighted  in  the  latter  part  of  September,  1852. 

.SUPPLY    OF    WATER. 

Prior  to  1817,  the  village  of  Newburgh  was  mainly  supplied  with 
water  by  wells;  but,  as  population  increased,  it  became  necessary  to 
))rocure  a  supply  from  other  sources.  Private  enterprise,  for  a  time, 
relieve(l  the  nu)re  pressing  demand.*  In  1840,  the  board  of  trustees 
took  the  subject  in  hand,  and  submitted  to  the  inhabitants  a  plan  for 
forming  a  stock  association, f  which  resulted  in  the  incorporation,  by 


*  Under  date  of  August  3d,  1803,  appears  the  following  advertisement  of  the  first 
water-works: 

"  Wateb. — The  proprietor  of  the  works  on  the  tenement  foi-merly  the  property  of  Fran- 
cis Brewster,  of  this  village,  hereby  informs  his  neighbors,  that  water  may  be  had  at  the 
works  until  other  arrangements  are  made,  on  tlie  following  easy  terms,  to  wit — For  every 
.5  pails  of  water,  or  less  quantity,  5  cents;  for  each  barrel  filled  at  the  works,  6  cents.  All 
persons  who  come  to  the  works  for  v/ater,  will,  in  future,  be  soobliging  as  to  call  on  some 
of  the  family,  in  oi-der  that  an  account  may  be  kept.  Prompt  payment  will  be  expected 
at  the  end  of  every  month.  For  workmen  to  drink,  who  are  employed  in  erecting  any 
building  in  the  town,  or  such  as  are  at  work  improving  the  streets,  or  other  public  Tabor, 
water  gratis. " 

t  •' A  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Newburgh  is  requested  at  the  house 
of  Edward  Howell,  in  said  village,  on  Saturday  next,  at  7  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  pre- 
cisely, to  devise  a  suitable  plan  to  siipply  this  village  with  good  and  wholesome  water  for 
all  family  purposes,  and  to  supply  the  engines  with  water  in  case  of  tire. 

In  the  meantime  the  following  plan  is  submitted  to  their  consideration: 

That  the  amount  of  the  expense  of  the  proposed  measure  (estimated  not  to  exceed  3000 
dollars)  be  divided  into  600  shares,  of  five  dollars  each;  that  each  inhabitant  .shall  be  at 
liberty  to  subscribe  as  many  shares  as  he  may  think  fit,  not  exceeding  20  in  number,  during 
the  first  ten  days  after  opening  the  subsciiptions;  that  none  but  inhabitants  of  the  village, 
or  persons  holding  real  estate  in  the  same,  shall  be  permitted  to  subscribe  any  shares 
(luring  the  first  ten  days  aforesaid;  that  subscription  books  be  provided  by  the  Trustees 
"f  the  village,  and  the  subscriptions  be  made  payable  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Corporation 
at  such  times  and  in  such  proportif)ns  as  the  board  of  trustees  may  from  time  to  time 
direct,  and  emei'gencies  require;  but  to  be  appropriated  only  to  the  object  of  the  institu- 
tion; that  the  purchases  of  springs  and  sources  of  water,  and  the  soil  necessary  for  this 
purpose  be  made  by  the  trustees  in  their  corporate  capacity,  and  be  held  by  them  and 
their  successors,  in  trust  for  the  exclusive  benefit  of  the  subscribers,  their  legal  representa- 
tives, or  assigns,  until  the  income  of  the  works  shall  be  equal  to  the  amount  of  the  sub- 
-icriptions,  and  interest  after  the  rate  of  fourteen  per  cent,  per  annum;  that  the  works 
shall  be  carried  on  and  when  completed  be,  and  always  remam,  under  the  sole  direction 
and  control  of  the  truste^es  for  the  time  being,  and  that  they  may  at  all  times  make  and 
ordain  such  prudential  by-laws  and  regulations  concerning  the  same,  as  shall  be  just  and 
right;  and  that  the  whole  interest,  rights  and  emoluments  of  the  institution  shall  be  vested 
in  the  trustees  for  the  time  being,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants,  when  the  subscribers 
shall  have  received  the  amount  of  their  subscriptions  and  interest  after  the  rate  of  14  per 
cent,  per  annum.     By  order  of  the  Trustees.  G.  MONELL,  President. 

Newburgh,  June  30, 1804. 


240  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBOH. 


an  act  of  the  log-islature,  passed  March  7th,  1806,  of  the  "  Newburgh 
Aqueduct  Association."  Beyond  this,  however,  nothing-  appears  to 
have  been  done  until  180V>,  when,  o\^  the  27th  of  Marcli,  the  legisla- 
ture passed  an  act  empowering-  th(>  trustees  to  prttcure  a  supply  of 
water  for  the  use  of  the  villag-e,  and  f  ir  tliat  purpose  to  enter  upon 
the  possession  ol"  any  springs  or  streams  of  water  within  the  corpo- 
rate bounds;  provided,  that  there  should,  "in  all  cases,  be  left  a 
sufficiency  oi  water  in  said  spring  or  springs  so  taken,  for  the  use  of 
the  owner  of  the  lands  wherein  the  said  spring  or  springs  are  situ-, 
ated,  and  his  heirs  and  their  assigns  forever;"  and  further,  that  com- 
pensation slmuld  be  made  t\n-  the  property  so  taken.  Two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  were  to  be  raised  annually  by  tax  to  meet  the  expen- 
ses incurred,  and  the  act  i>f  1806  was  repealed.  The  sum  named  in 
this  act  proved  to  be  insufficient,  and  no  further  proceedings  were 
had  until  1812,  when  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  held  (Feb.  29), 
who  sanctioned  the  l(>vying  of  a  higher  tax,  by  the  trustees;  but  the 
latter  regarded  a  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  former  as  illegal, 
and  directed  the  raising  of  only  the  amount  specified.  This  was  the 
first  water  tax  levied. 

In  Mav,  1813,  the  trustees  determined  to  contract  with  Jonathan 
Hasbrouck,  the  owner  of  Cold  Spring,  and  Walter  Case  and  Jacob 
Powell  were  appointed  a  connnittee  for  that  purpose.  No  ai-range- 
ment,  however,  was  made  with  Mr.  Hasbrouck,  and  the  sul)iect  rested 
until  the  20th  of  June,  1814,  when  the  trustees  "Resolved,  That  we 
will  proceed  with  all  convenient  speed  to  supply  the  inhabitants  of 
the  village  of  Newburgh  with  pure  and  wholesome  water;"  and  as 
Water  street  was  about  to  be  paved,  that  water-logs  be  laid  before 
that  work  was  done.  In  1815,  the  dilficulties  under  which  the  trus- 
tees labored  were  partially  removed  by  an  amendment  to  the  charter 
of  the  village  by  which  two  thousand  dollars  could  be  raised  annually 
by  tax,  for  contingent  expenses  and  for  the  introductit)n  of  water. 
An  eftbrt  was  then  made  to  purchase  a  spring-  (uvned  by  Mr.  Mande- 
vill,  late  tlu'  [)roperty  of  Jno.  J.  Mouell;  but  it  was  not  successful. 
Nothing  further  was  done  till  1816,  when  the  trustees  appointed  a 
committee  to  exaniine  the  wat(>r  lots  of  Jacob  Kitchie,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Grand  and  Third  sti-eets,  for  the  purpose  t)f  ascex-taining  the  extent 
of  the  supply  which  could  be  obtained  from  that  source.  Experi- 
ments were  made  by  this  connnittee,  who  subsequently  reported  that 
the  yield  was  not  sutficient.  The  proposition  to  take  the  Cold  Spring 
was  then  renewed,  and  an  agreement  was  made  with  Mr.  Hasbrouck 
for  that  purpose.  The  water  was  to  be  taken  from  a  "  pen-stock," 
which  had  been  erected  on  Liberty  street  for  supplying-  the  bi-ewery 
of  Robert  Dunlop,  and  conveyed  "from  thence  down  Ann  street  to 


SUPPLY  OF    WATER.  241 


(-(ildcii  stioct,  tliciKU'  throiig'li  Coldcii  and  Water  .streets   as   fai'   north 
as  tlie  store  of  Harris  &  Millei'."* 

At  this  stag'e  of"  tlie  |)roeeedin<^'s,  the  court  of  chancery  (Aut;'.  26, 
1816),  on  the  application  of  (ileor>;'e  Gardner,  through  whose  hinds  tiie 
outh't  of  tlie  spring  passed,  granted  an  ordcn*  restraining  tlie  trustees 
IVoni  I'liitlier  action,  as,  under  the  act  of  1809,  they  were  required  to 
leave  sutlicieiit  water  in  (lie  spring'  for  the  use  of  tliose  interested  in 
it  as  a  source  of  private  sup)dy.  The  trustees  referred  the  subject  to 
their  counsel,  Mr.  Henry,  of  Albany,  who,  after  examining  the  act, 
advised  them  that  he  considered  it  inexpedient  to  make  a  motion  to 
dissolve  the  injunction.  The  trustees  then  agreetl  (.Ian.  10,  1817,)  to 
ask  the  legislature  to  "repeal  the;  act  of  1809,  and  substitute,  in  lieu 
thereof,  a  law  for  the  same  purpose  based  upon  more  just  and  consti- 
tutional principles  as  to  the  mode  and  extent  of  contracting'  for  or 
taking  the  water  to  be  introduce(l  into  the  villag-e."  This  action  was 
a|iprove(l  by  the  citi/-eiis,  at  a  j)ublic  UHM'ting  held  on  the  29tli  of 
.Marcii,  and  the  act  appliecl  for  passed  the  legislature  on  (lie  T(li  of 
April.  This  act  authorized  the  trustees  to  take,  for  (he  use  of  the 
village,  such  sources  ot"  supfily  as  they  might  deem  necessary.  In 
case  of  disag'reement  with  the  owm'rs  of  the  [»ro|jerty  so  taken,  the 
subject  of  damages  was  to  be  referred  to  Win.  Thompson,  Daniel  i). 
Verplanck  and  Abm.  II.  Schenck,  vvlio  siiould  fix  the  amounts  to  be 
paid.  The  trustees  iminedia(ely  made  application  to  Jonathan  and 
Eli  Hasbiouck,  George  Gardner,  and  Patrick  McGahey  (the  guardian 
of  the  heirs  of  Charles  Mackin),  for  the  sale  of  their  sevcu'al  rights  in 
the  Cold  Spring.  Jonathan  Ilasbrouck  demanded  $10,000;  Eli  Ilas- 
iirouck,  $5,000,  (ieo.  (Jardner,  $5,000,  and  the  heirs  of  Charles  Mackin, 
$500.  The  trustees  regarding  the  sums  as  altogether  too  larg-e,  ap- 
plied to  the  commissioners  named  in  the  act,  who  awarded  to  Jona- 
than Ilasbrouck,  $2,000;  to  Eli  llaslirouck,  $100;  to  Geo.  Gardner, 
$1,500,  and  to  the  Mackin  heirs,  $50.  The  award  was  accepted  by 
the  trustees,  and  the  several  sums  paid.  The  deed  from  Jonathan 
IJashrouck,  however,  was  made  subject  to  a  previous  contract  with 
Rob(n't  Dunlop,  then  held  by  James  Law,  for  supplying-  his  brewery 
with    water,  f      The  construction   of   the   works   was   I'esumed,  and, 


*  "  Resolved,  That,  a  committee  tte  appointed  to  contract  with  Jonathan  aud  Eli  Has- 
brouck  for  the  right  of  entering  their  pen-stock,  which  contains  the  water  fr(jui  the  Cold 
Spring,  with  an  inch  auger,  and  to  agree  with  them  for  the  quantity  of  water  to  till  said 
hole  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  village  with  water,  for  the  term  of  seven  years  or 
longer;  and  that  Francis  Crawford,  Jonathan  Carter  and  John  Anderson,  Jr.,  be  that  com- 
mittee."— Minutes,  July  G,  181(>. 

"Proposals  for  digging  tlu^  ditch  for  the  logs  of  the  aqueduct  by  the  rod,  from  the  place 
contemplated  in  the  contract  with  the  Messrs.  Hasbronck,  read.  Jiesolved,  That  the  pro- 
posals of  William  Hill  b(;  accepted." — Minutes,  July  13,  1816. 

' '  Resolved,  That  a  contract  be  made  with  Mr.  J.  Gilcrist  for  preparing  and  laying  down 
water  logs." — Minrdes,  July  1.5,  1810. 

t  A  release  was  subsequently  obtained  from  J.  Beveridge  &  Co.,  for  the  sum  of  $2,000. 

oi6 


242  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


in  addition  to  those  already  named.  Io<;s  were  ordered  laid  thvong'h 
Smith  and  Liberty  streets.  In  18H\  tlie  leg'islatnre  passed  an  act 
enabling-  the  ti'iistiH's  to  fuiHl  tlie  water  debt,  tlu'n  amounting  to 
$5,000.*  In  1S21,  a  larger  supply  of  water  being  deemed  necessary, 
the  trustees  purehastnl  the  Ritchie  lots,  on  (irand  street,  from  John 
Ledyard.  for  tlu'  sum  of  $450;  and.  in  lS-29,  sold  the  property,  with 
tlie  exception  of  the  spring,!  for  $4.7  15.  Subsequently,  an  additional 
source  of  supply  was  found  on  the  lands  of  ^Vm.  P.  C.  Smith,  and  a 
reservoir  built  near  the  residiMiee  <A'  the  late  Kev.  Doet.  Johnston. 

Such — with  the  addition  of  sev(>ral  large  n^servoirs — wimx'  the  New- 
burg'h  water  works  [trior  to  the  introduction  of  a  sujiply  from  the 
Little  I'ond.  In  regard  to  this  source,  it  may  be  remarked,  that  the 
proposition  to  secun^  it  was  iirst  made  in  L^o5.  and  was  renewed,  in 
various  forms,  until  its  final  adoption  in  185'2.  To  trace  tlu>  several 
plans  which  wei'c,  from  time  to  time,  submitted  to  the  public  on  the 
subject,  is  unnecessary.  It  is  sutHcient  to  say,  that  after  a  full  exami- 
nation of  the  I'owellton  Springs,  the  (iidneytown  Creek,  and  the  Little 
Tend,  the  people  o\'  the  \illage  almost  unanimously  appnived  the  latter 
as  a  source  o{'  supply;  and,  in  Mnrcii,  1S5-J,  an  act  appointing'  com- 
missioners for  the  purpose'  of  constructing  the  \vorks.  was  passed  by 
the  legislature. I  In  accordance  with  the  terms  of  this  act,  on  the 
report  of  the  counuissioners,  an  election  was  held  (Nov.  15,  1852), 
when  eight  hundred  and  twenty-one  ballots  w-ere  cast  for,  and  sixteen 
against,  the  plan  of  supplying  the  village  with  water  from  the  Little 
Pond.  The  works  were  put  under  contract  in  185o,  and  $93,97(5.91 
W(>re  expended  by  the  I'ommissioners.  In  addition  to  this  sum.  the 
trustees  cxptMided  in  1852,  S950.10;  in  1854.  $7,007.87;  in  1855, 
$2.778.tU);  in  185t>,  $750. Kl;  in  1857,  $1,(U(>.88;  in  1858,  $4,79rt.01: 
in  1859,  $l,541.oti;  and  from  March  1st.  of  the  latter  y(>ar.  until  Jan- 
uary 1st,  1860,  about,  $2,000— making  a  b.tal  of  $115,448.75.  The 
act,  however,  contemplated  an  outlay  oi'  only  $100,000,  for  which 
sum  bonds  wer(>  issued. 

The  works  have  bt-en  materially  enlarg'cd  since  the  introduction 
oi'  the  supply,  viz:   In    I8<i7.   by   the   connection  of  Silver  Creek  with 

*  The  reason  asai,£:ned  in  the  petition  to  thr  lesislature  for  tlio  jiassajrcof  thij^law.  was, 
that  "the  sreiieral  poi-uiiuirv  oinli'UTassin<>nt  "  of  the  oitizoiis  roiuioi'i-cl  it  "  extromoly  op- 
pressive to  raise  tlie  money  by  tax."  as  retpiireti  by  the  law  luiiler  whieh  the  debt  had 
lieen  ereated.  The  orij^nial  delu.  liowever,  was  subsequently  larLrely  inereased  by  expen- 
ditures for  other  purposes.  Havinu:  uo  power  to  i-:sue  any  other  Imnds.  whei\  money  was 
required  a  "  Water  Hond  "  was  issued,  mitil  the  debt  reael\ed  souu-  $20,000. 

t  Ritehie's  sprinji  is  situated  in  Third  street,  between  Grand  and  Liberty  streets.  At 
the  time  of  its  purehase.  tlie  lots  in  the  vieiiutv  were  covered  with  a  pond  whieh  it  sup- 
plied. 'When  the  lots  were  tilled  in  and  Third  street  ojiened.  the  spriii.i:'  was  arched  and 
covered  over  and  its  outlet  conducted  to  a  reservoir  in  Liberty  street.  The  water  from  it 
is  now  conducted  into  the  sewer  in  Third  street. 

t  The  commissioners  named  in  the  act  were  Lewis  W.  YouiiEr,  Geortre  Cornwell  and 
James  ISelkuap.  Mr.  (.'oruwell  subsequently  resigned,  and  Eh  Hasbronck  was  appointed 
to  fill  the  vacancy. 


NEW  BURGH  POST-OFFICE.  243 


Ijittic  I'oiid,  :iii(l  ill  1S72-''^,  by  tlic  liiyiii<»'  (if  a  new  main  (•oiiiiccliii;;- 
directly  witii  tlic  pond.  The  total  of  cxixMidit  iiics  lor  coiiHtnict  ion, 
etc.,  IVoni  isr)2  to  1875,  wore  $3«1, 081.1  (">.  In  isf.f),  the  water  ivnt.s 
wore  $8,8r)l);  in  1  875,  $29,807.71 .  Of  all  classoH  of  diHtributing  pip(!8 
((exclusive  of  service  ])i|)es)  there  is  a  IVac^tioii  over  cig'litce)i  riiilGS. 
Tlic  annual  repoit  of  tin;  corninissioiicrs,  and  of  Major  E.  C.  Bcjyntoii, 
the  8Up(u-inten(lent,  foi'  tin;  year  1875,  supplies  ccnnplete  details  of 
receipts  and  expenditures. 

NEWBUR(;iI    I'OST-OI-'KICE. 

From  the  destruction  by  fire  of  the  lecords  of  the  post-office  depart- 
ment at  Washinj^ton  in  188(),  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the  date  of 
the  appointment  of  the  first  postmaster,  or  of  the  establishment  of  the 
office  at  Newburf^li.  Krom  the  records  of  the  auditor's  office;,  in  which 
the  accounts  of  th('  jxistmasters  are  kc-pt,  the  books  of  which  w(!r(!  [)re- 
servcjd,  it  is  ascertained  that  the;  office  at  N(!wburgli  commenccsd  nni- 
derinfj^  accounts  on  the  Ist  of  January,  1796,  and  that  Eben(!/er 
Foot(!*  was  the  first  postmaster.  It  is,  ther(!fr)re,  presumed  that  the 
offic(;  was  (!stablishe(l  soin<'time  during  tlu;  month  of  December,  1795. 
A  list  of  all  the  postmasters,  prior  to  1810,  is  annexed,  (lach  ap- 
pointee; holding  the  office  up  to  the  time  of  the  rendering  of  accounts 
by  his  succ<!Ssor,  to  wit: 

Ebonezer  Footf,  from  iHt  .Tan.  1706.  •■   Daniel  HirdHall,  from  1st  Oct,  1802. 

Harry  Caldwell,  from  1st  Oct.  1797.  \   ChcHter  Olark,  froin  Iwt  July,  IHIO. 

The  following  have  l)ceii  ap|)ointed  since;  1810: 


Aaron  Belknap,  March  20,  1812. 
Tookcr  Wvgant,  Nov.  2(;,  18.30. 
A.  C.  Muliinci-,  M;iy  23,  18:};!. 
Benj.  H.  Mace,  Nov.  2:^,  18:}(;. 
Oliver  Davis,  June  17,  1841. 
JamcH  Belknap,  May  18,  184:3. 
Samuel  W.  Eager,  Aug.  0, 1849. 


JoHe[)h  CaHterline,  Jr.,  May  4, 1853. 
Ezra  Farrington,  May  22,  18()1. 
Jas.  H.  R(!eve,  Nov.'l,  18(;«. 
Henry  Major,  May  7,  18(;7.t 
Jos.  Loinas,  Aug.  22,  18(;7. 
Ezra  Farrington,  July  19, 1809. 
John  C.  Adams,  April  1,  1875. 


The  early  mails  of  the  district  were  carried  and  letters  received 
and  delivered  by  post-riders,  who,  for  their  own  conv(;nience,  as  w(;ll 
as  for  the  conv(;nience  of  those  wishing  to  send  l(!tt(;rs,  appointeid 
stations  for  that  purpose.  The  Newburgh  station  was,  for  many 
years,  at  the  tavern  of  Michael  Weigand;  the  New  Windsor  station, 
at  the  "Glass  House"  in  the  village  of  New  Windsor.  Letters  were 
left  at  these  stations  until  callecl  for.  The  Newbin-gh  office  was  the 
first  in  this  section  of  the  county;  its  delivery  included  letters  for 
Marlborough,  I'lattckill,  Montgomery,  New  Windsoi-,  etc. 

*  Ebonezer  Fodtc  wiis  ;ni  oflficcjr  of  the  continental  army,  and  receiver  of  cattle  at  Fish- 
kill  and  Ncwhurgli.  Aftcj-  the  war  he  located  in  Newburgh  and  was  one  of  the  rcpre- 
Hcntatives  from  Ulster  county,  in  the  assend)ly,  from  1792  to  1797.  He  removed  to  Lan- 
singburgh,  and  was  elected  to  the  senate  from  the  middle  districit,  1799  to  1802.  He  was 
a  leading  member  of  the  masonic  fratt^rnity,  and  a  P.  M.  of  the  first  lodge  located  in  New- 
burgh. 

t  A  special  officer  of  the  post-office  department  who  held  the  place  in  consequence  of 
the  refusal  of  the  senat*  to  confirm  the  appointments  of  President  Johnston. 


244  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


COMMERCIAI,    RECORD. 

As  ourly  as  ITHT,  it  is  Avritteu  in  rot>-ard  U)  the  coinnKTCf  (if  Ncw- 
burgli,  tliat  "many  people  from  the  back  parts  of  tlie  country  bring 
their  produce  to  send  to  New  York,  ha\Mng-  at  least  three  boats  be- 
longing- to  the  place  that  constantly  g-o  from  thence  to  New  York  and 
return  back  again  with  goods,  which  creates  a  very  considerable 
trade."  The  late  James  Donnelly  stated  in  his  recollections:  "1 
know  nothing  about  events  lu'fore  the  war  of  the  Kevolution;  but  I 
have  been  informed,  by  those  who  were  old  men  when  I  was  young, 
that  ^[ajor  Isaac  Belknap  sailed  a  sloop  prior  to  that  time.  Another 
sloop  was  sailed  by  a.  Captain  Donougiiue,  or  Donaghy;  and  another 
by  William  Harding.  Ricliard  Buckingham  and  Lewis  Clark  eat-Ii 
owned  a  sloop  dni'ing  tlie  war,  but  1  presume  they  were  not  in  the 
Ntnv  York  trade.  Their  sloops  and  Harding's,  however,  wei'e  I're- 
(piently  in  the  |>iililic  service;  and  just  befoi-(>  the  British  sailed  up 
the  river,  they  were  sent  to  Albany  to  c-arry  troiips  tt>  reenforce  Geid. 
Gates.  It  was  a  fortunat(>  occurrence  lor  their  owners,  as  the  British 
would  liaA  ('  destroyed  them  if  they  had  toujid  them  here.  Their  sloojis 
were  built  at  Albany,  were  of  Dutch  model,  fast  sailers  and  easily 
managed.  They  were  built  of  red  cedar,  and  w(U"e  subsequently 
planked  and  re-plaid\ed  until  they  were  so  spike-eaten  that  nothing 
more  C(udd  !)(>  done  with  tiiem.  There  was  also  a  sloop  sailed  from 
here  U>  Nantucket,  connnanded  by  Captain  Coleman,  a  native  of  that 
place;  and  Major  Belknai)  and  others  were  engaged  in  some  trading- 
ventures  with  the  West  Indies.*  Belknap's  sloop  sailed  from  Colden's 
dock,  and  it  was  here  that  my  father  landed  on  his  removal  to  New- 
burgh  in  1714.  One  of  the  sloops  received  part  of  her  cargo  at 
Denton's  landing  near  Balmville,  and  the  other  at  what  was  after- 
wards Petting-ale's  landing  near  the  foot  of  North  street. 

During  the  Revolution  the  business  was,  of  course,  suspended;  and, 
although  resumed  at  the  close  of  tlu^  war,  probably  was  not  prosecuted 
to  any  considerable  extent  until  after  1790. 

The  docks  which  were  first  built  were  small  and  were  principally 
located  on  the  west  side  of  what  is  now  called  Front  street.  The 
first  dock  was  unquestiimably  that  Imilt  by  Alexander  Golden  at  the 
foot  of  First  street  ;  and  the  second,  that  afterwards  owned  by  Daniel 
Smith  at  Balmville.  Mr.  Donnelly  stated  that,  "  prior  to  the  war,  the 
dock  at  Balmville  was  owned  by  Nehemiah  Denton;"  and  that  "the 
Golden  dock  was  then   occupied   by  Isaac  Belknap.     After  the  war, 

*  The  papers  of  Major  Belknap  confirm  Mr.  Dcnnellv  in  reference  to  the  sloops  of 
William  Harding,  Richard  Buckingham  and  Lewis  Clark  ;  and  also  show  that  on  the  'iSth 
of  Jan.  1771,  the  sloop  Newborn,  Isaac  Belknap,  cajitain  :  Edniond  Jones,  mate,  and  Silas 
Howell,  mariner,  while  on  her  passa.ge  to  the  Ishvnd  of  Antigna,  was  driven  on  the  rocks 
on  the  west  coast  of  the  Island  of  Bermuda,  but,  although  considerably  injured,  succeed- 
ed in  reaching  Mangrovet  bav. 


aoMMmciAi  nmont).  246 


Benjamin  Birdsall  occupiod  tho  Golden  dock,  and,  snbsequently, 
George  Gardner.  Col.  Jonathan  Hasbrouck  bnilt  a  small  d(K;k — after- 
wards known  as  the  red  storehouse — on  his  own  property,  just  below 
the  Head-quarters,  for  the  purpose  of  reueivnng  grain  and  shipping 
Hour.  During  the  war,  tiie  continental  dock,  near  the  foot  of  Third 
street,  was  built  for  military  purposes.  During  the  year  in  which 
peace  was  proclaimed,  the  dock  afterwards  known  as  Oakley  & 
Davis's  was  built,  together  with  a  storehouse  for  provisions  for  the 
army.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  David  Howell  built  a  dock  near 
the  foot  of  Second  stnu't.  Then  came  Walsh's  dock,  now  Mailler's, 
and  afterwards  the  do(;k  of  Jacob  and  Leonard  Carpenter,  (now  occu- 
pied by  Homer  Kamsdell  &  (Jo.)  The  Oakley  &  Davis  dock  was  first 
owned  by  a  Mr.  Ci'osby,  I  belicxc.  DeWint's  dock  was  the  old  (Conti- 
nental dock;  and  John  Anderson's  dock  was  just  S(mth  of  Walsh's.* 
The  docks  were  such  as  we  now  see  occasionally  along  the  river  at 
some  old  brick-yard.  A  great  depth  of  water  was  not  required,  for 
the  vessels  employed  were  generally  flat-bottomed.  "  f 

P^'om  n98-'99  to  1815,  the  names  of  forwarders,  captains,  and 
vessels  are  fully  set  forth  in  their  published  advertisements,  from 
which  the  folhtwing  facts  appear:  From  Colden's  dock,  foot  of  First 
street— Geo.  Gardner,  1798  |  to  1809;  Geo.  Gardner  &  S(m,  1810-'15,§ 
Geo.  Gardner  &  Son,  1822;  Henry  Robinson,  l823-'26;  T.  Powell  & 
Co.,  1835-'44;  ||  Reeve,  Moore  &  Co.,  1845;  Powell,  Ramsdell  &  Co.,  fall 
of  1845-'57;  H.  Ramsdell  &  Co.,  1858-'65.  From  Walsh's  dock,  foot  of 
Third  street — Hugh  Walsh,  Derick  Amerman,  Crawford  &  Harris  and 
others  until  1808,  F.  Crawford  and  C.  Belknap  &  Co.,  1809-'17;  F.  &  D. 
Crawford,  18n-'30;  D.  Crawford  &  Co.,  1831-'37;  Crawford,  Mailler  & 
Co.,  1838-'54;  W.  K.  Mailler  &  Co.,   1855-'57;  W.   K.  Mailler  &  Son, 

*  Mr.  DoiiUL'Uy'a  statement  does  not  entirely  correspond  with  the  map  of  the  township 
of  Washington,  given  on  page  159,  b-at  the  discrepancy  probably  arises  from  the  fact  that 
tlie  property  subsequently  changed  hands.  For  example,  lot  No.  8  was  the  original  ])ui'- 
chase  of  Hugh  Walsh  in  1782,  and  covered  what  must  have  been  the  continental  as  well 
as  the  Oakley  &  Davis  do./V.  bot  No.  7,  'mmediately  south,  was  owned  by  Aaron  Fair- 
child  and  covered  what  was  cue  Walsh  dock  (now  Mailler's).  John  McAuley  purchased  it 
from  Fairchild  in  1791,  and  kept  store  in  one  of  the  old  army  buildings  until  1793,  when 
he  sold  to  Walsh.  Anderson's  dock  was  the  next,  on  the  south  side  of  Third  street.  The 
Crosby  pro])erty  was  immediately  north  of  Fifth  street.  It  would  be  impossible  to  locate 
the  old  docks  precisely  from  present  landmarks.  The  army  buildings  appear  to  have  been 
the  first  storehouses.  The  docks  were  all  west  of  Front  street,  and  the  old  storehouses 
were  nearly  on  the  present  east  line  of  Water  street. 

t  Ante  p.  172,  173. 

X  The  advertisements  of  1798,  announce  that  "  Caleb  Coffin  will  continue  to  sail  George 
Gardner's  sloop  on  alternate  Fridays  :  "  that  "  Daniel  Smith  and  William  Wilson,  owners, 
Daniel  Smith,  master,  will  sail  the  sloop  Morning  Star,  from  Daniel  Smith's  dock,  on  alter- 
nate Fridays  ;  t'nat  "  .Jcdin  Anderson  wiU  sail  the  sloop  Eliza  on  alternate  Tuesdays ;  " 
and  that  "Derick  Aniernuin  will  sail  th(!  sloop  Ceres  on  alternate  Tuesdays.''  The  Ceres 
was  owned  by  Hugh  Walsh. 

§  Removed  to  DeWint's  dock  in  consequence  of  difficulty  in  access  to  the  dock,  but  re- 
turned to  it  in  1822,  when  its  facihties  were  improved. 

II  Mr.  Powell  erected  the  storehouse  and  dock,  which  subsequently  bore  his  name,  tlie 
old  storehouse  having  been  destroyed  by  tire  in  .June,  1835. 


^240  m:^rnTir  OP  XE}VBr'RGTT. 

1858-'9;  W.  0.  MailUn-.  lS(iO-'69;  W.  0.  Maillcr  &  Co..  l870-'73.*  From 
Anderson's  dock,  foot  of  Third  street — John  Anderson,  1798  to  1808. 
From  Ludlow's  dockf  (formerly  John  Anderst)n's) — Alexander  Falls 
and  Jonathan  Hedges  saik-d  sloop  Favorite,  Benj.  Case,  Jr.,  master, 
in  1799.  Tlieir  successors  were:  Jacob  &  Thomas  Powell,  1802-'13; 
Selah  Reeve  and  Wm.  H.  Falls,  1814-'24;  Selah  Reeve  &  Son,  1825-'2(i; 
Christopher  and  Geo.  Reeve,  1827-'29;  C.  Reeve,  1831,  who  sold  to  T). 
Crawford  &  Co.  From  DeWint's  dock,  north  of  Third  street — Geo. 
Gardner,  1815-'21;  Miller  &  Smith,  18-22-'24;  E.  Case,  1835;  Houston, 
Johnston  ct  Co.,  1838;  Christopher  Reeve,  1842;  Reeve,  Moore  &  Co., 
1843.'44.  J  From  dock  foot  of  Fourth  street — Farmer's  Company, § 
1806-'13;  B.  &  I.  Case,  1814-'20;  Abm.  Stagg  &  Co.,  1820-'24;  John 
Mount  &  Co.,  1825-'26,  and  by  Oakley  &  Davis,  1827-'39.  From  Car- 
penter's dock,  south  of  Second  street — Caleb  Cotlin,  1800;  Jacob  & 
Leonard  Carpenter,  and  B.  Carpenter  &  Co.,  1802-'64;  Homer  Rams- 
dell  &  Co.,  18()5-'76.  From  Balmville — Paniel  Smith  and  others  until 
1818;  H.  &  J.  Butterworth,  1819;  Selah  Tuttle  &  Son,  1820,  who 
were  the  last  occupants.  In  1845,  the  firm  of  Wardrop,  Smith  & 
Co.  was  org-anized  and  conmienced  business  from  a  dock  and  store- 
house erected  by  J.  Beveridge  &  Co.  at  tlie  foot  of  Fifth  street. — 
This  tirm  was  continued  until  1858,  wlien  C.  C.  Smith  sold  his  interest 
to  Hiram  Falls.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Wardrop,  the  firm  was  dissolved 
and  Falls  &  Johnston  became  its  successors.  On  the  death  of  Mr. 
Falls,  Johnston  &  Alsdorf  continued  the  business  until  1870,  when  it 
passed  to  Alsdorf  »&:  Skidmore,  who  sold  to  Homer  Ramsdell,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1872,  and  retired  from  the  trade.  On  the  1st  of  February, 
1865,  Homer  Ramsdell  bought  the  dock  propi-rty  and  barge  of  B. 
Carpenter  &  Co.,  and  consolidated  the  business  of  that  firm  with  the 
firm  of  Homer  Ramsdell  &  Co.  During  the  season  the  large  store- 
house of  the  firm  was  removed  to  a  new  foundation,  and  the  store- 
house of  Ramsdell  &  Co.  removed  and  united  with  it,  forming  by  far 
the  largest  and  most  complete  structure  on  the  Hudson.  ||    The  firm  of 

*  The  barge  Newburgli,  tlien  owned  by  this  tirm,  together  with  a  full  cargo  of  freight, 
and  also  their  storehouse,  etc.,  were  destroyed  by  tire  in  June,  1873,  and  at  the  close  of 
season  the  tirm  retired  from  the  freighting  business. 

t  Robert  Ludlow,  father  of  the  late  Mrs.  Thomas  Powell,  bought  the  property  from 
Water  street  to  the  river  in  179H,  and  built  a  store  on  Water  street  and  a  new  dock  in  the 
rear.  During  its  ownership  by  the  Powells  it  was  called  Powells'  dock,  and  subsequently 
Reeve's  dock.  The  old  storehouse  was  moved  to  Crawford's  dock  and  consolidated  with 
that  of  D.  Crawford  ^  Co.,  and  was  destroyed  in  the  tire  of  1872. 

I  The  DeWint  storehouse  and  the  Oakley  &  Da%-is  storehouse  adjoining,  were  destroved 
by  tire  December  18,  1848. 

§  This  company  appeai-s  to  have  been  a  regularly  organized  association ;  its  busi- 
ness was  conducted  by  directors  who  were  generally  elianged  annually.  After  the  disso- 
lution of  the  company,  a  similar  association  was  organized  l>y  an  act  of  incorporation, 
passed  by  the  Legislature,  April,  1825.  This  company  orginated,  it  is  said,  with  Mr. 
Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  who  was  its  principal  manager.  The  '•  Chancellor  Livingston  "  was 
run  for  a  few  trips,  in  the  name  of  the  company,  from  the  old  red  storehouse  :  and  then 
the  project  was  abandoned.  "  i|  .\nte  p.  203. 


GEO.  OAFDNERS  STOREHOUSE.   1708. 
Front-st..  West  side.  South  of   First  Street.     See  p.   172,  173,  201,  246. 


s?;,,.^.  j;m-:v.. 


^"^■a^v> 


vr~r    . 


^t-^r  f^-  rr  r3-x3« 


HOMER    RAMSDELL  c".    CO.S    STOREHOUSE,   lS/5. 
Front-st  .   Ejnsl  side,  bet.   Second  «nd    First.     Ante   p.  CCl,    2Cr.  240. 


COMMERCTAL  JiECORB.  '  247 


Homer  Ramsdell  &  Co.  is  now  the  only  freight  line  between  New- 
burgh  and  New  York;  their  barges  have  a  carrying  capacity  of  500 
tons  each;  their  daily  freiglits  probably  exceed  the  weekly  freights 
of  twenty  years  ago,  being  greatly  augmented  by  the  trade  of  the 
entire  eastern  division  of  the  Erie  railroad. 

The  business  was  conducted  entirely  by  sloops  until  1830.  The 
introduction  of  steam  vessels,  however,  was  proposed  in  1825,  at  a 
meeting  of  sloop  owners  (June  6),  and  a  committee  appointed  for  the 
purpose  of  making  inquiry  "relative  to  the  building  of  a  good  and 
sufficient  steamboat  or  boats,  foi'  the  purpose  of  conveying  freight  oi" 
passengers  from  this  village  and  landings  adjoining."  *  This  action 
was  doubtless  intended  to  allay  tlie  feeling  against  sloop  navigati(jn 
which  had  grown  out  ol'  the  disaster  to  the  "  Neptune,"  in  November 
of  the  previous  year.^  Here  the  matter  rested  until  the  winter  of 
1829-'30,  wlu'n  Mr.  Ciiristopher  Reeve  purchased  the  steamer   Balti- 


*  A  meeting  of  sloop  owners  was  held  June  6,  1825,— Selah  Reevo,  chairman,  and  David 
Crawford,  secretary,— to  consider  the  expediency  of  placing  a  steami)oat  on  the  Newburgh 
line.  After  discussion,  it  was  "  Resolved,  That  a  committee,  consisting  of  James  Wiltsie, 
John  P.  DeWint,  Uriah  Lockwood,  John  Wiltsie,  Christopher  Keeve  and  David  Crawford, 
be  authorized  to  make  the  necessary  inquiry  and  obtain  all  the  information  in  their 
power  relative  to  the  building  of  a  good  and  sufficient  steamboat  or  boats,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  conveying  freight  or  passengers  from  this  village  and  landings  adjoining." — Index, 
June  7. 

■f- Loss  OF  THE  SLOOP  Neptune. — On  Nov.  24,  about  noon,  the  sloop  Neptune  on  her 
way  from  New  York  to  this  vUlage,  a  short  distance  below  Pallopel's  Island,  was  upset, 
filled  and  sunk.  At  the  time  of  this  melancholy  event,  it  is  understood  she  had  on  board 
from  fifty  to  fifty-five  passengers,  a  majority  of  whom  were  drowned.  It  api)ears  that  the 
vessel  left  New  York  under  the  command  of  her  first  hand,  Mr.  John  Decker,  (Capt.  Hal- 
stead  being  detained  in  the  city,)  with  from  forty  to  fifty  tons  of  plaster  and  some  eight 
or  ten  tons  of  merchandise  on  board.  About  half  of  the  plaster  was  put  in  the  hold,  and 
the  remainder  piled  on  the  deck.  In  the  Highlands  the  wind  was  high,  which  induced 
the  commander,  when  below  West  Point,  to  take  a  double  reef  in  the  mainsail,  and  other 
measures  of  caution  for  the  safe  delivery  of  his  charge.  When  off  Little  Stony  Point, 
with  very  little  way  on  the  vessel,  a  fiaw  struck  her  and  hove  her  down.  This  caused  the 
plaster  on  deck  to  shift  fr(im  windward  to  leeward.  Most  of  the  male  passengers  were 
on  deck,  and  one  or  two  of  thc^  females,  and  some  ten  or  twelve  women  and  six  or  seven 
children  in  the  cabin.  The  shifting  of  the  plaster  created  the  utmost  confusion  on  board. 
The  water  rushed  into  the  scuttle  of  the  forecastle,  which  was  to  leeward,  then  into  the 
cabin;  and  consternation,  dismay  and  death  presented  their  appalling  features  to  all  on 
board.  In  a  few  minutes  she  filled  and  plunged  headlong  to  the  bottom.  All  in  the  cabin 
perished.  Those  on  deck  were  plunged  into  a  cold  and  turbulent  element  or  had  been 
carried  down  with  the  vessel.  The  boat  was  afloat,  and  when  the  sloop  was  going  down 
was  occupied  by  Decker  and  Woolsey,  but  without  oars — they  were  suppued  by  Mr. 
Storm,  whose  oyster  boat  was  just  ahead  of  the  sloop  ;  and  they  made  utmost  exertions 
to  save  the  unfortunates.  Seventeen  persons  were  rescued  by  them  and  the  other  boats 
which  came  to  their  assistance  ;  but  the  rest  perished. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  those  who  were  saved  : — John  Decker,  Levi  D.  Wool- 
sey, Mr.  Thorne,  of  Newlmrgh ;  Joseph  Mullock,  A.  Carey,  Jesse  Green,  of  Minnisink  ; 
Alfred  Crawford,  Alexander  Crawford,  John  Rose,  of  Crawford  ;  Mr.  Sprague,  Mrs.  Bow- 
ers, Mr-  Smiley,  Mr.  Anderson,  of  Sullivan  county  ;  Lewis  Broom,  Patrick  Kelly,  of  Wal- 
kill ;  A.  Pierson  of  Montgomery,  and  a  lad  from  Blooming-ftrove — total,  17. 

The  following  persons  were  known  to  have  been  on  board  the  sloop  : — Mrs.  Couch  and 
two  children,  J.  Loveland  and  J.  Smiley,  of  Sullivan  county :  Mrs.  Graham  and  two 
children,  of  Crawford  ;  John  Leader,  of  Blooming-Grove  ;  Saml.  Carlisle,  Jacob  Polhemus, 
Mrs.  McClaughery,  of  Newburgh  ;  Mrs.  Rush,  of  Wallkill ;  Messrs.  McCurdy,  Weed, 
Hensler,  Mrs.  Churchill  and  Cochrane,  of  Montgomery  ;  John  Greenleaf,  George  Evert- 
son,  Matilda  Helms,  William  Kelly  and  child,  of  Minnisink;  Mrs.  Dean,  of  Cornwall,  F.  W. 
DeCondres  and  Mrs.  Trout  of  New  York — total,  26.  It  is  supposed  that  a  number  of  others 
were  on  board,  which  would  make  the  whole  equal  to  the  numijer  stated,  whose  names 
and  connections  have  not  yet  been  discovered.  The  sloop  sunk  in  fifty  or  sixty  feet  water. 
The  owners,  Messrs.  Miller  &  Smith,  succeeded  in  raising  her. — Index,  Nov.  1824. 


^48 '  tns  TOR  Y  OP  mwn  umn. 

nioi-o,  wliich  was  placed  on  the  Newburg'h  line  in  the  spring  of  1830,* 
and  rail  from  the  wharf  of  the  ^[essrs.  Reeve  and  that  of  D.  Crawford 
&  Co.      Rude  in  model  as  was  this   steamer,  her   appearance   was 
(S^^H^^^  hailed   with   every   demonstration   of  popnlar  xv- 

A,^^_'bi^j^_g^^^_^  t;-ard;  the  newspapers  recorded  her  advantage's, 
'^^-^i^^^^^^  ''^1^  ^^^  brush  of  the  painter  traced  her  outlines 
THE  BAI.TIMOKK.  I )n  iiiaiiv  slgii-boards.  But  her  triumph  was  short; 
her  purchase  had  not  been  made  when  Mr.  Benjamin  Carpenter  laid 
the  keel,  at  the  ship-yard  of  Cornelius  Carman,  Low  Point,  of  the 
steamer  William  Young'.  This  vessel  was  launched  July  H,  1830, 
and  commenced  running  in  September  of  the  same  year.f  Though  of 
nearly  the  same  appearance  as  tlie  Baltimore,, she  was  regarded  as  of 
better  model,  and  her  owner  claimed  that  she  had  "power  sufficient 
to  make  her  average  trips  in  about  six  hours";  but  his  anticipations 
were  very  far  from  being  realized. 

Messrs.  Reeve  and  Crawford  continued  the  Baltimore  one  year, 
when,  some  dissatisfaction  arising,  Mr.  Reeve  sold  his  interest  to  Mr. 
Crawford,  who  continued  her  on  the  line  until  1835,  Avhen  she  was 
transferred  to  the  route  between  Newburgh  and  Albany.  The  Messrs. 
Reeve  (1832)  supplied  the  place  of  the  Baltimore  in  their  line,  Avith 
the  steamer  Legislator;  and  during  the  same  season  Oakley  &  Davis 
put  on  their  line  the  Providence. |  In  the  summer  of  1833,  D.  Craw^ford 
&  Co.  built  the  steamer  Washington  and  commenced  rtinning  her  in 
November  of  that  year.§  This  boat  was  far  superior  to  any  in  the 
trade,  and  the  competition  which  she  created  aroused  the  energies  of 
Mr.  Carpenter,  who  built,  in  1835,  the  James  Madis(^n,  a  boat  supe- 
rior in  many  respects  to  the  Washington;  she  was  the  first  beain- 
(Migine  steamer  in  the  trade.  During  the  same  season,  Oakley  & 
Davis  changed  the  Providence  for  the  Superior;  and  Mr.  Powell,  who 
for  several  years  had  been  living  in  retirement,  now  again  entered 
the  list  of  competitors,  and  built  the  steamer  Highlander,  wliieh  eom- 


*  Half  of  the  excellent  steamboat  Baltimore,  has  been  purcbai^ed  bv  D.  Crawford  & 
Co.,  and  we  understajid  that  she  will  start  alternately  ti-«m  Reeve's  and"  ft-oni  Crawford's 
docks,  towing:  a  sloop  and  taking:  passen.ijers  frnrn'oach  dock  twice  a  week.  We  have 
already  spoken  of  a  steabnioat  in  a  state  of  forwardness,  owned  by  Benjamin  Carpenter  ; 
and  probably  the  other  sloop  owners  will  make  similar  arrangements.— (^o^.  Feb.  7,  1830. 

t  Thon,2;h  not  the  first  steamboat  in  the  Newburgh  trade,  as  bas  been  claimed,  the 
William  Young-  was  the  first  bnilt  expressly  for  that  trade.  She  was  more  complete  in  her 
acconnnodations  for  passengers  than  her  predecessor,  the  Baltimore,  and  had  more  of  the 
character  of  what  was  then  regarded  as  a  tirst-dass  steamer. 

X  Farmers  and  freighters  will  be  abundantly  accommodated  with  steamboats  this  sea- 
son. In  addition  to  the  William  Young,  wliicli  will  continue  to  run  fnmi  Carpenter's,  and 
the  Baltimore,  which  will  run  this  season  from  Crawford's  dock,  \nll  be  added  the  Legis- 
tor,  which  will  tow  from  Keeve's  dock,  and  the  Providence  from  Oaklev  A-  Davis's.  We 
understand  vessels  will  depart  from  this  ^^llage  on  Tuesdays,  Wednesdays,  Thursdays, 
Fridays,  and  Saturdays.  The  enterprising  spii-it  evinced  bv  these  arrangeiiients  deserves, 
and  Ave  confidently  \w\w  \nll  meet  with  a  correspondiiiii  liberahtx-  from  the  public- 
Gazette,  Feb.  -iG,  1832.  ' 

§  The  Balthuore  and  the  Washington  were  run  bv  this  firm  during  the  season  of  1831:, 


COMMMCtAl  nSCORt).  249 


menccd  nniiiiiig'  in  Septpmb(M\  She  was  a  boat  of  the  first  class  in 
speed,  her  only  rival  being-  the  Rochester,  then  on  the  New  York  and 
Albany  line.  As  their  days  of  sailing-  from  New  York  were  the  same, 
i-acing-  was  always  in  order;  and  the  story  is,  that  in  ordcM-  to  settle 
the  point  oi'  speed,  a  bet  of  $1000  a  side  was  made.  The  race  came 
oil"  and  the  Hi«^-hlander  lost  by  half  a  ininnte  on  a  straig-ht  run  iVoiii 
N<'w  York  to  the  Newburg-h  wharf.  The  Oscola,  a  neat  and  swift 
craft,  next  attacked  the  Hig-hlander.  Both  boats  ran  on  the  morning- 
line — the  former  from  Foughkeepsie,  and  the  latter  froin  Newbnrg-h 
and  Fishkill;  but  the  Highlander  was  victorious.  In  1846,  Powell, 
Kamsdell  &  Co.  built  the  Thomas  Powell  and  placed  her  on  the  morn- 
ing line*  She  was  subsequently  sold  to  Capt.  Anderson  and  placiMl 
on  the  morning  liii<'  between  Rondout  and  N<'W  York,  and  was  the 
last  of  the  \ewburg-h  steamers. 

Tlie  first  barge- — the  Minnisink — was  placed  on  the  line  by  Craw- 
ford, Mailler  &  Co.  in  1841,  in  lieu  of  the  Washington,  which  was 
put  on  the  New  York  and  Albany  line  as  an  opposition  boat,  and  sub- 
sequently sold  to  the  People's  Line.  In  1842,  Christopher  Reeve  re- 
entered trade  with  the  barge  rnion.  In  1845,  Wardrop,  Smith  &  Co. 
put  on  the  steam-barge  Caledonia,  and  in  1851,  the  barge  Wallkill. 
Johnston  &  Falls  took  out  the  boilers  and  engine  of  the  Caledonia 
and  changed  her  name  to  Union,  and  Alsdorf  &  Skidmore  exhanged 
her  for  the  propeller  Thomas  McManus,  and  made  three  trips  a  week 
during"  the  season  of  1870-"ri.  B.  Carpenter  &  Co.  sold  the  James 
Madison  in  1846,  and  purchased  the  barge  Superior.  In  1848,  Powell, 
Ramsdell  &  Co.  built  the  barge  Newburgh  and  substituted  her  for  the 
Highlander;  in  1851,  they  built  the  barge  Susquehanna  and  run  her  in 
connection  with  the  Newburgh.  Subs('(pu'ntly  the  Newburgh  was 
transferred  to  Wm.  K.  Mailler  &  Co.,  and  the  Minnisiid\  to  B.  Car- 
[X'uter  &  Co.  In  1870,  Homer  Ramsdell  added  the  barge  Charles 
Spear  to  the  line  of  Homer  Kamsdell  &  Co.,  who  run  her  in  connec- 
tiou  with  the  barges  Susquehaiuui  and  Minin'sink,  each  boat  making 
two  tripw  a  week,  forming-  a  daily  line.  The  latter  was  withdrawn  in 
1813,  and  daily  trips  made  with  the  Spear  and  the  Suscjuehanna. 

The  early  steauilioat  captains  were:  Baltimore,  Robert  Wardrop, 
1830-'32,  SamurMohuson,  1833;  William  Young,  Seth  Belknap,  1880, 
Whitehead  Halstead,  1831,  Charles  llalstead,  1833;  Providence,  Levi 
I).  Woolsey,  1831-'33,  Samuel  H.  Logan,  1834;  Washington,  Robert 
Wardrop,  1834;  Superior,  James  H.  Leeds,  1835;  Madison,  Eli  Perry, 
1835;  Highlander,  Robert  Wardrop,  1835.  In  nearly  all  cases  the 
persons  nauied  were  previously  in  coimuand  of  sloops. 


*  On  the  16th  July,  1846,  the  Thomas  Powell  made  the  trip  from  New  York  to  Newburgh 
ill  two  ho\irK  and  forty  miiintes  runnuig  time. 


250  HISTORY  OF  NEWSUROH. 

Tho  coininerce  of  the  city  has  not  been  confined  to  the  lines  specially 
eng;ag'('d  in  the  New  York  trade,  although  that  interest  has  entered 
more  directly  intd  its  general  business.  Sloops  and  steamers  have 
been  the  Albany  trade  for  many  years,  and  also  in  connection  with 
other  points.  The  iirst  steamer  on  the  Albany  line  was  the  Baltimore, 
Captain  Wm.  A.  Biillis,  in  1835.  She  was  succeeded,  in  1839,  by  the 
Balloon;  the  latter  by  the  American  Eagle,  in  1846,  and  the  Eagle  by 
the  Saratoga.  The  Constitution  ran  about  eighteen  months  and  then 
formed  a  daily  line  with  the  Eagle.  She  gave  place  to  the  Magenta; 
the  latter  to  the  M.  Martin,  which  with  the  Eagle  now  compose  the  line. 
A  large  number  of  vessels  have  been  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  coal 
trade  and  in  general  freighting,  while  the  transportation  of  sawed 
lumber  by  ships  to  foreign  ports,  has  taken  the  place  of  the  ancient 
traffic  by  which  the  district  was  stripped  of  its  primal  forests. 

NEWBURGH    FERRY. 

On  the  2-lth  May,  1143,  Alexander  Colden  presented  a  petition  to 
the  Hon.  George  Clark,  lieutenant-governor  of  the  provinc^e,  and  coun- 
cil, ft>r  letters  patent  enabling  him  to  establish  a  ferry  between  Xew- 
burgh  and  Fishkill.  This  petition,  after  i-eciting  the  patent  to  the 
Palatinates,  states:  "That  as  there  are  now  many  settlements  t)n  both 
sides  of  the  Hudson  river,  persons  frequently  have  occasion  to  cross 
over  from  one  side  of  the  river  to  the  other,  but  are  often  obliged  to 
wait  a  considerable  time  for  a  passage  over  the  same,  there  being  no 
ferry  established  on  either  side  thereof:  That  your  petitioner  is  willing 
to  [trovide  proper  boats  and  persons  constantly  to  attend  for  the  trans- 
portation oi'  passengers,  horses  and  goods  across  the  said  river  to  and 
from  the  aforesaid  tract  of  land,  now  conuuonly  called  the  Newburgh 
Patent;  and  has  obtained  liberty  of  the  owners  of  the  land  on  the 
easterly  side  of  the  said  river  to  land  or  take  on  board  any  passen- 
gers that  shall  have  occasion  to  cross  the  said  river  with  their  horses 
and  gttods,  whieh  will  he  of  great  use  ;ind  benefit  to  travelers  and 
other  persons  tliat  may  have  occasion  to  cross  said  river."  The  ])v- 
titioner  asked  tliat  the  letters  patent  be  issued  to  himself,  his  heirs 
and  assigns  forever,  for  "all  the  soil  under  the  water  one  hundred 
feet  into  the  river  from  the  high-water  mark,  the  whole  length  of  the 
patent  ^^219  chains),  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  make  proper  wharves 
and  landing  places;"  and  also  that  "His  Honor  and  the  Council" 
should  establish  "  such  ferriage  fees  "  as  they  should  deem  reasonable. 

The  petition  was  accompanied  by  a  statement  showing  the  "  Rates 

heretofore  taken  bv  way   of   Ferriage    for   crossing   Hudson's  river 

above  the  Highlands,"  as  follows: 

"  For  every  Man  and  Horse £0    t3s    Od 

For  every  person  without  a  Horse, .- 0      2    0 

And  if  bad  weather,  a  JIan  and  Horse, 0    10    0  " 


NEWBUROH  FEliRT.  251 


28 

6 

2 

0 

1 

0 

0 

9 

1 

6 

1 

3 

0 

6 

0 

4 

1 

0 

0 

4 

0 

3 

0 

6 

0 

3 

0 

9 

4 

0 

6 

0 

The  following-  were  the  "  Rates  proposed  to  be  taken: 

"For  every  Man  and  Horse, £0 

But  if  three  or  more  together,  for  each  Man  and  Horse, 0 

For  a  sinjfle  person  only, 0 

For  each  footman,  (if  three  or  more  together,) 0 

For  every  Horse  or  single  beast, 0 

But  if  three  or  more  together,  for  each, 0 

For  every  Calf  or  Hog,' 0 

For  every  Sheep  or  Lamb, 0 

For  evei-y  full  Bairel, 0 

For  every  empty  Barrel, 0 

For  every  Pail  of  Butter, 0 

For  every  Firkin  or  Tub  of  Butter, 0 

For  every  bushel  of  Salt  or  Grain, 0 

For  every  hundred  weight  of  Iron,  Lead,  &c., 0 

For  every  Chaise,  Kitteriu  or  Sleigh, 0 

For  every  Wagon  and  Cart, 0 

and  so  in  proportion  for  all  things  according  to  their  bulk  and  weight." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  conneil,  May  24th,  the  patent  asked  for  was 
granted,  and  the  petitioner  thereby  invested  with  the  "  sole  keeping 
of  a  ferry  between  any  and  every  part  of  tiie  said  tract,  and  for  the 
soil  under  water  (so  far  only  as  his  own  land  run,)  100  f(M)t  into  the 
water  from  high-water  mark,  under  the  yearly  quit  rent  of  five  shil- 
lings "  at  the  "rates  proposed  to  be  taken." 

Immediately  after  receiving  the  patent.  Golden  complied  with  its 
provisions,  and  continued  for  several  years  in  the  exercise  of  its  privi- 
leges. Sail  and  row  boats  were  used  for  the  purpose  of  ferriage;  a 
landing  place  was  constructed  at  the  foot  of  First  street,  and  the  en- 
terprise conducted  with  considerable  system.  What  became  of  the 
ferry  during  the  Revolution  does  not  appear,  but  it  is  presumed  that 
it  was  taken  in  charge  by  the  quarter-mastei'  of  the  army  and  was 
known  as  the  continental  or  public  ferry,  at  which  time  its  place  of 
landing  was  changed  from  the  foot  of  First  street  to  the  north  side 
of  Third  street.*  In  1782,  the  continental  ferry  appears  to  have  been 
removed  to  New  Windsor,  and  that  this  removal,  coupled  with  the  fact 
that  the  Golden  charter,  as  well  as  all  similar  grants,  was  regarded 
as  void  in  consequence  of  the  Revolution,  was  the  occasion  of  the 
establishment  of  a  new  ferry  "at  Fishkill  and  Newburgh  landings, 
where  the  public  (or  continental)  ferry  was  formerly  kept,"  by  Peter 
Bogardus  of  Fishkill,  and  John  Anderson  and  James  Uenton  of  New- 
burgh, who  announced  that  they  had  "built  boats  for  the  purpose  of 
attending  said  ferry,  of  the  best  construction  for  the  transporting  of 
wagons  and  horses,  and  a  good  scow  for  the  convenience  of  trans- 
porting loaded  wagons,"  and  that  the  prices  of  ferriage  would  be  as 
they  were  before  the  war,  viz: 

"For  a  footman, one  shilling.    Four  horse  Wagon, fourteen  shillings, 

Man  and  horse, two  shillings.     Loaded  do one  pound. 

Two  horse  Wagon, ten  shillings.    Phaeton  and  pair, twelve  shillings, 

Loaded        do twelve  shillings.    Ton  of  Iron, eight  shillings, 

Riding  Chair, six  shillings,  |  Hogshead  of  Rum, ^  . . .  live  shillings, 

and  so  in  proportion  for  every  other  article."  f 


*  Ante  p.  172— note  p.  176,  200.  +  Adv.  N.  Y.  Packet,  Jixly  4, 1782. 


252  msToti  r  OP"  mwB  vnatt. 


Tliis  f(H'ry  was  continued  imtil  aftor  the  commencement  of  the 
present  century,  when,  by  virtue  of  the  treaty  of  peace,  the  exclu- 
sive right  of  the  Golden  charter  was  recognized,  and  the  new  ferry 
merged  in  that  running  from  Fishkill  and  New  Windsor.  The  latter 
was  ("stablislied  by  the  proprietors  of  New  Windsor  in  1*155,  and  was 
subsequently  owned  by  Martin  Wiltsie  and  Daniel  Carpenter.* 

The  Colden  charter  was  sold  by  the  heirs  of  the  patentee  (Dec.  15, 
1802,)  to  Leonard  Carpenter  for  the  sum  of  $2,500.  On  the  24th  of 
October,  1804,  Leonard  Carpenter  sold  to  Jacob  Carpenter  one  half 
of  the  charter  for  the  sum  of  $1,250.  In  August,  1805,  the  New 
Windsor  and  the  Colden  ferries  were  combined,  the  joint  owners  being 
Ijconard  and  Jacob  Carjienter,  Martin  Wiltsie,  Martin  Wiltsie,  Jr., 
and  Peter  Bogardus.  On  the  26th  October,  1825,  Ann  and  Catharine 
Bogardus,  heirs  of  Peter  Bogardus,  sold  their  interest  in  the  ferr}^  to 
Benjamin  Thornc  lor  $200;  and  on  the  9th  of  November,  Mr.  Thorne 
sold  the  interest  thus  purchased  to  J.  P.  DeWint,  for  the  same  sum. 
On  the  1st  of  April,  1826,  Bridget,  widow  of  Leonard  Carpenter,  sold 
to  Alexander  R.  Carpenter  her  right  in  the  ferry  for  the  sum  of  $300. 
On  the  same  day,  Alexander  and  Jane  B.  Carpenter  sold  to  Isaac  R. 
Carpenter  their  interest — the  former  for  the  sum  of  $2,800,  and  the 
latter  for  $2,500,  the  difference  in  the  sums  being  made  by  the  addi- 
tion of  the  third  held  by  Mrs.  Carpenter  to  that  of  Alexander.  Isaac 
R.  Carpenter  was  now  the  owner  of  the  entire  interest  held  by  his 
father;  to  which  he  added,  by  purchase,  on  the  1st  of  March,  1827, 
from  Henry  B.  Carpenter,  the  interest  formerly  held  by  Jacob  Carpen- 
ter. On  the  25th  P'ebruary,  1832,  Mr.  Carpenter  purchased  from  the 
heirs  of  Martin  Wiltsie,  senr.,  all  the  right,  title  and  interest  of  their 
father,  for  the  sum  of  $8,000;  and  sold  (Nov.  27,)  to  John  P.  DeWint 
one  half  of  the  interest  purchased,  for  $6,000.  On  the  1st  of  March, 
1833,  Martin  Wiltsie,  Jr.,  sold  to  Mr.  DeWint  and  Isaac  R.  Carpenter, 
by  wliom  tlic  ferry  was  now  conducted  in  partnership,  all  his  right, 
title  and  interest  for  the  sum  of  $5,000;  and  on  the  26tli  of  March,  of 
the  same  year,  ('arpenter  purchased  the  entire  right  of  DeWint,  and 
became  sole  proprietor.  On  the  1st  of  May,  1835,  Mr.  Carpenter  sold 
the  ferry  to  Mr.  DeWint  for  the  sum  of  $52,000;  and  on  the  30th  of 
May,  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  DeWint  sold  the.  whole  to  Thomas  Powell 
for  $80,000.  Mr.  Powell  remained  the  owner  until  1850,  when,  on  the 
I5th  of  October,  by  deed  of  gift,  the  property  passed  to  liis  daughter, 
Mrs.  Frances  E.  L.  Ramsdell. 

Sail  and  row  boats  alone  were  used  until   1816,  when   a  horse-boat 
was  launchedjit  Nevvburgh  (July  16),  and   commenced  her  trips  on 
the  8th  of  August.     The  Political  Index  of  August   10th,  says:   "  Th(> 
*  N.  Y.  Packet,  Jnlv  18,  1782. 


FIRE  DEPARTMENT.  258 


teaiii-boat  Moses  Rogers,  passed  from  this  villag-e,  on  Wednesday  last, 
to  Fishkill  Landing  with  the  folh)wing  load — one  eoaeli  and  horses, 
a  wagon  and  horse,  seventeen  chaises  and  horses,  one  horse,  and  fifty 
passengers."     The  Rogers  was  succeeded  by  a  horse-l)oat  called  the 

Caravan,  a  tlat-bottomed  vessel  with  a  wheel  in 
the  center.  She  was  run  in  connection  with  the 
sail-boat  Mentor  and  the  horse-boat  Duchess,* 
and  was  subsequently  converted  into  a  steamer 
under  the  name  oi'  tlie  Jack  Downing  In  1828 
THE  CARAVAN.  thc  stcamcr   Post-Boy  was  built  at   Low   Point 

and  placed  on  the  line.  Her  engine  was  made  in  Philadelphia, f  and 
was  a  very  uni(|ue  aft'air.  Her  name  was  subsequently  changed  to 
Pluenix.  She  gave  place  to  the  (xold  Hunter,  wliich  was  built  by 
Mr.  Powell  on  a  yard  just  south  of  the  Bath  Hotel.  The  Fulton,  the 
Williamsburgh,  and  the  Union,  w('re  successively  purchased  by  Mrs. 
Hamsdell,  by  whom  also  the  present  ferry  houses  wcic  ei'ccted.  The 
deed  from  Mr.  Carpenter  requires  the  propriett»rs  of  the  ferry  to  con- 
tinue the  landing  at  the  foot  of  Second  street,^  and  to  preserve  an 
open  and  free  passage  to  and  from  the  public  street. 

FIRE    nEPARTMENT. 

The  tire  department  of  Newburgh  was  organized  under  an  act  of 
the  legislature,  passed  March  24,  1791,  by  which  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town  residing  east  of  Liberty  street  and  south  of  an  east  and  west 
line  running  six  rods  north  of  the  Academy,  were  authorized  to  <dect 
five  trustees,  "to  be  called  the  Trustees  of  the  P"'ire  Company  of  the 
Village  of  Newburgh,"  who  should  have  full  j)ower  "to  luiminate  and 
appoint  a  sufficient  number  of  firemen,  not  exceeding  twent}'  to  every 
fire  engine"  then  provided  or  thereafter  to  be  provided  for  the  use  of 
the  said  village,  "out  of  the  inhabitants  being  free-holders  or  persons 
renting  property  to  the  value  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  to 
have  the  care,  management,  working  and  using  the  said  fire  engines 


*  The  Gazette  of  August  30, 1828,  has  the  following:  "  The  owners  of  the  ferry  have  built 
a  commodious  boat  to  ply  between  this  village  and  Fishkill.  A  steam  engine  i's  in  prepa- 
ration at  Philadelphia,  and  we  are  informed  that  the  boat  will  be  in  operation  about  the 
first  of  October." 

t  The  Duchess  was  run  from  the  upper  landing  at  Fishkill  to  the  DeWiiit  dock  at  New- 
burgh at  this  time.  The  Index  of  August  15,  1826,  says  :  "  The  ferry  between  this  village 
and  Fishkill  has  been  greatly  improved  the  present  season.  The  doiible  team-boat  Cara- 
van continues  to  ply  between  the  above  wharf  and  the  long  wharf  of  Mr.  DeWint,  and  is 
well  managed.  A  new  team-boat,  the  Duchess,  has  been  put  in  operation  from  the  upper 
landing,  and  appears  also  to  be  well  managed.  With  these  two  boats  and  the  sail  and  row 
boats  attached  to  each  of  the  establishments,  passengers  passing  either  way  can  be  ac- 
commodated at  anj'  moment  at  reduced  prices." 

:j:  The  foot  of  Second  street  was  selected  as  the  landing  place  in  1883,  as  ap])ears  from  a 
notice  in  the  Gazette:  "  It  must  be  gratifying  to  our  citizens  to  learn  that  arrangements 
are  now  making  to  put  the  ferry  between  this  village  and  Fishkill  Landing  u])on  a  more 
effective  footing,  and  also  to  make  a  material  reduction  in  the  rates  of  toll.  Another  cir- 
cumstance which  will  have  a  favorable  influence  in  the  comnumication  between  the  two 
shores,  is  the  confining  the  running  the  boats  between  the  Ferry  Wharf  on  this  shore,  and 
the  Long  Wharf  on  the  Fishkill  side." 


254 


HISTOBY  OF   NEWBUBGH. 


and  other  instruments."  The  persons  so  appointed  wen^  to  l>e  ealUnl 
" the  firemen  of  the  viUag'e  of  Newburg-h;"  they  were  r(>quir(>d  "to 
be  ready  at  all  fires,  as  well  by  nig-ht  as  by  day,"  and  wen^  exempted 
from  service  as  constables  or  as  Jurors  of  inquest.*  Prior  to  the 
passag'e  of  this  law,  thiMv  is  no  record  of  the  existence  of  an  engine, 
or  apparatus,  or  of  any  organization  for  the  extinguishment  of  fires, f 
nor  is  there  record  of  any  proceedings  under  tlu'  law,  althoug;h  it  is 
probable  that  an  organization  was  made  in  accordance  to  its  terms. 
The  act  was  superseded  by  the  act  of  incorporation  (1800),  under 
wMiich  the  powi-rs  which  it  conferred  were  vested  in  the  trustees  of 
the  villagi'.  The  minutt's  of  the  latter  body  make  no  reference  to  the 
department  until  May,  ISOti,  at  which  time  two  fire  ci)mpanies  are  of 
record,  both  fully  organized  and  supplied  with  eng-ines.J  At  what 
precise  date  these  companies  were  organized  cannot  be  shown;  but 
from  a  certificate  issued  by  the  btiard  of  trustees  in  1802, §  both  com- 
panies were  clearly  in  existence  at  that  time,  from  which  fact  it  may 
be  inferred  that  the  trustees  of  the  village  found  the  department 
organized,  and  simply  accepted  the  work  which  had  been  done. 

From  May  1806.  the  reci)rd  of  the  department  is  essentially  com- 
plete. The  two  companies  which  were  in  existence  at  that  time  were 
composed  of  the  following  members: 


Wm.  L.  Smith, 
Enoch  E.  Tilton. 
Wuher  Burling, 
Ht'iu\v  Tudor, 
Ward  M.  Gnzlay. 

John  Harris, 
Jonathan  Fisk, 
John  Kic'tiardson, 
Sohxh  Rt'eve, 
Joseph  Roeve, 
John  Aiuh'rson,  Jr. 


NO.  1. 

Gilbert  N.  Clement,      Geo.  E.  Hulse, 
Minaril  Harris,  John  Coleman, 

John  Carskaden,  John  Hoasilaiul, 

Caleb  Sutton,  Wni.  Adee, 

NO.  2. 

Leonard  Carpenter,  Jonathan  Cart«r, 

Jas.  Hamilton,  Hiram  Weller. 

Saml.  1.  Gresrory,  S.vml.  Wright, 

William  Gardiner,  Hugh  Spier, 

Nathl.  Burling,  Thomas  Powell, 

Solomon  Sleight,  Cornelius  Pe^Yitt, 


Andrew  Preston, 
Nieholas  Wright, 
John  Forsvth, 
Walter  Case. 


Joseph  Hoffman. 
Cadwallader  Koe, 
Daniel  Niven.  Jr. 
Benoni  H.  Howell, 
S,vlvanus  Jessup. 


The  house  of  company   No.   1,   was   ordered   established   (July   17, 


*  Ante  p.  164. 

t  The  Xeirburijh  Packet,  the  lirst  newspaper  printed  in  Newburgh,  in  its  issue  of  Feb. 
20,  1795,  gives  an  aecount  of  a  tire  which  "broke  out  in  the  store  of  John  MoAuley,"  and 
urges  the  necessity  of  having  an  "  engine  in  town."  The  absence  of  an  engine  is  also  in- 
ferred in  the  account  of  a  tire  which  occiin-ed  in  the  Academy  in  179H. 

i  There  was  also  an  independent  organization  under  the  title  of  "Bagmen,"  (organized 
in  1805),  the  members  of  which  company  were  required  to  attend  all  fires  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  charge  of  goods,  for  which  purpose  each  nii'mber  was  to  furnish  himself  with  a 
bag.  The  unifm-m  of  the  ccunpany  consisted  of  a  "hat,  the  crown  thereof  to  be  painted 
white,  and  the  rim  or  brim  thereof  black,  and  a  large  letter  B.  black,  in  ft-ont  of  the 
crown,  standing  for  Bagman."  The  officers  of  the  company  wore:  John  McAulav.  Fore- 
man; Wm.  H.  Smith,  Secrerary;  Alexander  Falls,  Collector".  Private  members:  Thomas 
S.  Lockwood,  John  Shaw,  Robert  W.  Jmies,  John  Chambers,  Jacob  Powell. 

§  This  certitieate  bears  date  May  3d,  1802,  and  is  as  follows: 

"To  Jonathan  Fisk— With  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Village  of 
Newburgh,  I  do  hereby  appomt  you  a  Fireman  in  the  Company  of  which  Selah  Reeve  is 
Foreman— according  to  the  direction  of  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New 
York  m  such  case  made  and  provided.  In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  the  seal  of  the  Village  of  Newburgh,  the  third  dav  of  Mav.  in  the  twentv-seventh  vear 
of  American  Independence.  *  LEVI  DODCtfe,  P.  B.  T.  ' 


FIRE  DEPARTMENT.  255 


1806,)  "near  tlie  huuse  of  Robert  W.  Jones,  on  Eig-lit-rod  street;"  and 
tlie  house  of  No.  2  (May  H,  1810,)  was  located  on  "tlie  nortli-east 
corner  of  the  Presbyterian  church  lot."* 

No  further  reference  to  these  companies  appears  in  the  minutes  of 
the  trustees — except  lists  of  their  officers — for  several  years.  On  the 
9th  of  December,  1823,  a  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  Crawford's 
hotel,  and  a  resolution  adopted  requesting  the  trustees  to  "purchase 
a  new  engine  for  the  protection  of  the  village;  against  (ire."  In 
compliance  with  this  reejuest,  the  trustees,  on  the  1st  of  January 
following,  contracted  with  E.  Force,  of  New  York,  for  a  new  engine 
at  a  cost  of  $750.  On  the  20th  of  tlie  same  month,  llicy  purchased 
the  lot  (»n  the  coriiei'  of  Montgomery  and  Second  street  for  the  sum  of 
$92,  and  subsequently  laid  a  tax  of  $1200  foi-  the  erection  of  an  en- 
gine house  thereon  and  to  pay  for  the  engine.  Tn  addition  to  this 
sum,  the  Washington  Insurance  (<ompany  of  N.  Y.,  cojitributcd  $100; 
the  Fulton  Insurance  C<(mpany,  $100;  and  the  North  River  Insurance 
Company,  $50,  towards  the  purchase  of  the  new  engine.  The  new 
engine  was  completed  in  March,  1824,  and  the  question  at  once  arose 
among  the  firemen,  which  company'  slmuld  be  lionored  with  its  use 
and  preservation.  After  a  sharp  discussion,  the  ((uestion  was  decided 
by  the  trustees  (March  18,)  in  favor  of  company  No.  1,  by  the  casting- 
vote  of  the  president  of  the  board.  The  company  immediately  reor- 
ganized under  the  title  of  No.  3,  and  a  new  company  was  soon  after 
raised  for  the  old  engine.  During  the  same  year,  the  engines  were 
removed  to  the  new  engiiK^  house. 

The  first  hook  and  ladder  coni|)any,  if  such  it  may  !)e  called,  was 
organized  on  the  3d  of  March,  1810,  by  the  addition  to  the  two  fire 
companies  of  eight  men,"j'  viz:  Joseph  Carpcmter,  Elijah  Boardman, 
James  Donnelly,  BenJ.  Anderson,  Thos.  Phillips,  Jr.,  William  Thayer, 
Nathl.  Boyd,  and  Saml.  Burtis.  This  organization  continued  until 
August  5th,  1828,  when  three  persons  wei-e  selected  from  each  com- 
pany and  a  more  ind(!pendent  organization  eftccted.  The  implements 
of  the  company  wen;  hous(;d  in  a  shed  which  was  erected  in  the  rear 
of  the  engine  house. |     New  ladders,  etc.,  were  procured  in  1852,  and 


*  The  places  designated  were  the  south-west  corner  of  Water  and  Sontli  streets,  and 
the  north-cast  corner  of  what  is  now  the  Union  Presbyterian  Church  lot.  The  buildings 
were  of  wood  and  Uttle  if  any  liettor  than  common  barns. 

t  Resolved,  That  an  addition  of  eiglit  men  be  made  to  the  two  tire  companies,  which 
eight  men  shall  be  under  a  foreman  and  vice  foretniui,  and  it  shall  he  their  duty  to  take 
in  charge  the  fire  hooks  and  ladders,  and  exerciser  with  them  each  and  every  day  that  the 
fire  coni|)any  No.  2,  exercises  with  their  engine — and  further,  it  shall  be  their  duty  to 
attend  at  all  fires  with  their  hooks  ;  and  submit,  when  on  duty,  to  the  directions  and 
orders  of  the  trustees. — Minutes  of  Trustees,  March  3,  1810. 

i  The  original  engine  house  did  not  occujiy  the  full  lot,  and  a  long  narrow  shed  was 
built  in  the  rear,  just  wide  enough  to  cover  the  truck,  w-hieli  wiis  a  two-wheel  affair.  The 
meetings  of  the  company  were  held  on  the  sidewalk.  The  village  authorities  were  very 
economical  and  made  the  most  of  their  room.  Under  the  engine  house  they  constructed 
a  reservoir  for  use  in  fires.    The  building  was  subsequently  enlarged. 


25(5 


mSTORY  OF  NEWBUBGfr. 


WASHI>(iTO>"    ENUINE. 


a  suitable  lioiisc  (^iiow  the  police  stutinii)  creeted  mi  l-'iist  sticct.  'I'lic 
company  has  boriu".  at  ilift'cront  tiiiics,  tlic  iiaincs  of  "  ('liiitoii,"  *  and 
"Brewster,"  the  lattt-i-  since  April,  1861,  in  honor  of  llii-aui  S.  Brew- 
ster, for  several  years  its  foreman. 

In  183ri  (May  (>).  on  the  petition  of  John  McClelland,  das.  (4.  Clin- 
ton, Francis  Bolton,  and  others,  the  trustees  org-anized  Washing-ton 
engine  company.  No.  4.  and  ordered  a  new  engine  from  dames  Smith. 

On  the  Isl  of  duly,  they 
purcliased  a  lot  on  Westi'rn 
Avenue,  fir  $300,  on  which 
a  small.  Init  then  regarded 
as  suitable,  building  was 
erei'ted  fir  the  company. 
riie  new  engine  was  de- 
ivered  in  a  rough  <"oat  of 
laint,  and  was  snbseipient- 
y  finished  in  a  very  com- 
plete manner  at  the  expense 
of  the  t'ompany.  More  modern  and  of  more  power  than  No.  3,  it  look 
the  rank  to  which  it  was  entitle(l.  Song's  and  music  were  written 
in  its  honor;  its  company  overtlowed  with  the  most  vigorous  (dement 
in  the  conununity. 

In  1837  (Jidy  4),  Niagara  engine  i'omjtany,  No.  a,  was  organizetl 
by  tlie  trustees,  on  the  petition  of  Samuel  J.  Farnuin,  Albert  Noe,  C. 
A.  Gardiner,  and  others.  On  the  22d  of  August,  a  lot  was  purchased 
on  South  street,  a  house  was  ordered  erected  thereon,  similar  in  ev(>rv 
respect  to  that  occupied  by  No.  4,  and  a  contract  made  for  the  con- 
struction of  an  engine.  This  machine  was  a  duplicat(>  of  Nt>.  4.  and 
the  (piestion  of  superiority  led  to  many  spirited  contests. 

In  1840.  the  membership  of  several  of  the  companies  (>xi'(M>ded  the 
nundier  fixed  by  the  trustees,  and  it  was  proposed  that  the  sur])lus 
should  be  permitted  to  act  as  volunteers.  The  trustees  referred  the 
subject  to  a  connnittee,  who  reported  (July  18)  against  the  plan. 
This  result  led  to  an  "indignant  parade,"  on  the  part  of  the  volun- 
teers of  company  No.  5;  but  the  excitement  soon  subsided,  and  the 
cause  of  complaint  was  removed  by  the  adoption  (Sept.  14~),  on  the 
part  of  the  trustees,  of  a  resolution  permitting  <»ach  company  to  have 
a  membership  of  fifty. 

In  1844  (Aug.  •J'i),  a  meeting-  of  citizens  authmized  the  purchase 
of  a  new  engine  for  coujpany  No.  3;  and  the  trustees  (Dec.  2)  con- 
tracted with  James  Smitli,  of  New  York,  f  )r  its  construction.     The 


*  " Faughlaballa  "  was  painted  cm  the  old  truck  in  contempt  of  the  apiiuiatus  of  tlie 
company,  but  was  not  an  establislied  name. 


FIRE  DEPARTMENT.  257 


cii}i,Miic  wiis  (li'livcicd  ill  tlic  spriiij;'  of  184r),  and  was  liiiislied  in  an 
cleg-ant  inanncr  by  tlic  conipuny.  It  was  tiic  liisl  "piano"  niacliiiic. 
In  184'.»,  a  new  cng-inc  wa>;  piirc-liascd  lor  company  No.  4;  and,  in 
1S50,  one  for  I'onipaiiy  No.  5;  botli  ol"  tlic  iinjivovcd  style.  Tlic  engine 
of  No.  4  was  ag'ain  ((xchang-ed  in  18(il. 

The  Hist  liose  company  was  org"ani/ed  in  1840.  Its  oiliceis  (.Ian.  1, 
1841)  were:  William  Scott,  foreman;  llcnsselacr  Wliitod,  assistant, 
and  Abel  Belknaji,  Jr.,  s(H'.retary  and  trcasiirei-.  At  this  time  the  only 
hose  eairiag-c  was  a  "juniper"  attached  to  engine  No.  3.  The  occa- 
sion of  its  organization  was  the  prior  organization  by  a  nnmber  of 
boys  of  a  hose  company,  of  which  Maxw(dl  Wiley  was  foreman, 
Cornelius  ().  Madden,  assistant,  and  E.  M.  Riit-teiil)(!r,  secretary,  whose 
pnrpose  it  was  to  jicrform,  in  this  way,  the  taking  of  the  "jumper"  to 
and  from  firi'S,  to  which  duty  tlu'y  were  invariably  g-enerously  assign- 
ed by  th(!  members  of  the  engMne  company.  The  sages  of  the  corpora- 
tioiihad  "  no  power "  to  recogni/e  boys  as  members  of  the  dejiart- 
iiiciit,  and,  lest  they  should  do  some  niischief,  appointed  men  who,  il" 
too  old  to  run  with  the  machine,  could  see  to  it  that  due  decorum  and 
solemnity  was  observed  in  the  discharge  of  that  duty.  Columbian 
hose  is  the  olTspring  of  this  company. 

The  introduction  of  water  from  Little  Pond  brought  with  it  several 
changes  in  the  apparatus  of  the  department.  Engine  com{)any  No.  1 
bccanie  E.xcelsioi'  hose  company,  No.  1,*  and,  in  Septeinbcr,  1852,  (Jo- 
liiniliia  hose  company,  No.  2.  Ringgold  hose  company,  No.  1,  was 
organized  Pebinary  1,  18r)4.  Neptune  hose  company  was  organized 
Seplenibcr  ('),  lsr)S;  name  chang'cd  to  Ijconard  hose  company.  No.  8, 
and  in  I8"i;5,  to  Leonard  steam  fire-engine  company,  No.  2.  Chapman 
liusc  (•(iiiipaiiy.  No.  4,  was  organized  in  September,  1859.  Cataract 
Knginc  eoni))any,  No.  3,  was  changed  to  Lawson  hose  company.  No. 
o,  in  1871,  when  the  engine  purt;liased  in  1845  was  sold.  Washing- 
ton engine  coinpany,  No.  4,  was  changed  to  Washington  steam  lire- 
engine  company.  No.  4  (now  No.  1),  in  1872.  and  the  lirst  stifam  tire- 
engine  imrchased  by  the  city  assigned  to  its  ('arc.  The  hand  engine 
purchased  for  the  company  in  1861,  was  rebuilt  and  transferred  to 
West  Newburgh  in  charge  of  Highland  engine  com|)any.  No.  3.  The 
engine  of  No.  5,  was  sold  in  1872,  the  company  having  been  disbanded 
sometime  previously.  The  department  is  now  coinptised  of  one  hook 
and  ladder  conijiany,  one  hand  engine  com])any,  two  steam  lire-engine 
companies,  and  four  hose  companies.  The  estimated  value  of  the 
[iroperty  of  the  department  is  $60,000.  The  steamers  now  in  use 
cost  $4,200  each. 

The  first  engines  are  remembered  by  many  of  our  citizens.     No.  1 

*  This  change  was  in  part  eftiected  in  1840,  as  above  stated. 

017 


258 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


Hiitiiuiimuri  iniLHummui 


was  a  plain  Dld-fasliioncd  macliiiic  of  vrvy  limited  puwov.     No.  2  was 

what  was  called  a  Philadel- 
phia engine;  it  was  manned 
by  a  double  rank  of  men  at 
each  end,  one  I'ank  standing 
ill  part  on  the  d«»ck  and  in 
part  on  a  folding"  platfonn. 
The  maniung  force  was  about 
^^  sixteen,  but  as  the  deck  men 
ENciNE  Ni'MisKit  Twt).  couM   iiot  be  rclicved   when 

tlie  engine  was  in  motion,  they  were  of  limited  usefulness.  The  forte 
of  the  engine  was  in  throwing  a  small  stream  at  what  was  then  re- 
garded as  a  great  distance;  it  was  able  to  send  water  and  spray 
about  ninety  feet.  Xo.  3  was  a  heavy  machine  and  the  only  suction 
engine  of  the  three.*  It  was  the  fancy  engine  of  the  village,  and  the 
first  to  bear  a  specific  name,  that  of  "Cataract." 

The  lu)uses  now  occupied  by  the  department  are  modern  structures. 
The  first  was  erected  for  Neptune  hose  company  (now  Leonard  steam- 
er\  in  1859;  the  lot  costing  $400  and  the  house,  $l,241.t5.  It  is  of 
brick,  two  stories,  and  located  on  North-Water  street.  Hook  and 
Ladder  company  and  Ringgold  hose  company  were  granted  new 
building's  in  1862.  A  lot  for  the  former  (on  Western  Avenue)  was 
purchased  for  $600,  and  for  the  latter  (on  Colden  street)  for  $950.f 
The  plans  of  the  buildings  were  by  John  D.  Kelly,  architect;  the 
contract  for  erection  was  awarded  to  Little  &  Kelly  (June  21,  1862,) 
for  $2,835.  The  house  of  Hook  and  Ladder  is  of  brick,  two  stories; 
that  of  Ringgold,  two  stories  with  l)asement  and  brown-stone  front 
— the  latter  a  contribution  by  the  company.  Chapman  hose  company, 
exchanged  the  shed  on  Liberty  street,  in  which  it  was  organized,  for 
a  new  house  on  St)uth  street,  in  1863.  The  lot  was  purchased  (Aug. 
It)  for  $400;  the  Iniilding  was  from  plans  by  J.  D.  Kelly,  and  cost 
$1,975.33.  \Vashington  company's  house  was  enlarged,  under  con- 
tract with  J.  1).  Kelly,  arcliitect,  in  June,  1868,  at  a  cost  of  $608.48. 
The  house  occupied  by  Highland  company  was  erected  in  1861,  under 
contract  with  Brown  c^-  McMeekiii,  for  $2,990;  the  lot  cost  $350.  The 
ttriginal  engine  house,  so  long  occupied  by  engines  1,  2.  and  3,  though 
cjdarged  and  improved,  yielded  to  the  demand  foi'  a  more  fitting  struc- 
ture in  1815.  The  plans  foi'  the  new  building  were  by  E.  K.  Shaw, 
architect,  and  the  work  executed  undin- contract  with  Wm.  McMeekin. 


*  To  supply  the  non-suction  engines  w  ith  water,  every  liouseholder  was  required 
id  keep  in  readiness  for  use  a  certain  number  of  tire-biickets.  When  a  tire  occurn 
ickets  were  brought  out  and  donlile  lines  of  men  formed  to  pass  them  to  and  ft 
igines  to  the  source  of  water  snpi)ly.  It  was  not  unconnnon  to  see  ladies  in  th 
igaged  in  this  work, 
t  The  lot  extended  to  Water  street ;  the  lower  part  was  subsequently  sold. 


lAWSON  AND  COLUMBIAN  HOSE  HOUSE-1876. 


RINGGOLD  HOSE  HOUSE-1876, 


FIRE  DEPARTMENT.  259 


fur  $5,49-1.  The  lot  was  cnlarg-cd  by  tlie  purchasi'  oi'  a-djoiniiig-  piop- 
erty  at  a  cost  of  $1,600.  The  building-  is  two  stories  and  basement; 
pressed  brick  and  Ohio-stone  trimmings.  It  supplies  accommodations 
for  Columbian  and  Lawson  hose  companies. 

The  members  of  the  lire  department  have,  for  many  years,  been  its 
most  liberal  patrons.  Though  not  contributing-  for  the  purchase  of 
apparatus  and  the  erection  of  houses  a  sum  equal  to  that  raised  by 
tax,  the  amount  of  their  expenditures  has  been  no  small  item.  As 
already  shown,  all  save  the  first  engines,  were  more  or  less  improved 
by  the  members  of  the  companies;  all  have  furnished  their  houses 
with  more  or  less  elegance.  Full  details  caimot  be  supplied;  but  it 
may  be  stated  in  illustration  that  Ringgold  hose  paid  from  its  own 
funds,  over  $1,800  for  brown-stone  front,  furniture,  etc.,  and  more  re- 
cently gave  to  the  service  a  carriage  for  ordinary  use;  Washington 
company  gave  $550  towards  the  cost  of  their  engine  in  1861 — the  tax 
payers  $600,  the  old  engine  $450.  Lawson  hose  has  its  own  service 
t-arriage,  and  has  expended  about  $1,200  for  furnishing  its  new  rooms. 

Most  of  the  old  customs  of  the  department  have  iallen  entirely  into 
disuse.  Monthly  meetings  were  held  f(jr  practice  for  forty  years.  On 
these  occasions  the  engines  were  worked,  ladders  erected,  and  imagi- 
nary fires  extinguished,  with  all  earnestness.  To  vai'y  the  pro- 
gramme, the  engines  tested  their  powers  with  each  other  in  "wash- 
ings," /.  f.  one  received  the  water  of  the  other  and  when  overflowed 
was  beaten;  the  time  was  taken  in  which  the  result  was  accomplish- 
ed, and  the  foundation  for  a  month's  discussion  and  another  trial  duly 
laid.*  Then  the  distance  to  which  Avater  could  be  thrown  was  perpet- 
ual strife.  The  venerable  James  Powell  declared  old  No.  2  the  victor 
in  many  contests,  and  would  insist  that  his  engine,  standing-  at  the 
United  States  hotel,  could  wet  the  ground  nearly  to  First  street, 
though  no  one  believed  it.  But  these  contests  and  the  sometimes 
heated  discussions  which  they  engendered  were  swept  away  and  a 
new  leaf  turned  over  on  the  eve  of  every  new  year.f     Wisely,  per- 


*  The  last  contest  of  this  character  was  between  No.'s  3  and  i,  in  First  street,  opposite 
the  old  Presbyterian  church,  in  1850,  and  came  near  terminating  in  a  riot. 

t  After  the  election  of  officers  and  the  transaction  of  the  business  incident  to  the  occa- 
sion, tbt;  members  of  the  different  companies  rei)aired  to  our  hotels,  and  other  places  of 
entertainment,  and  celebrated  the  departure  of  the  old,  and  the  coming  of  the  new  year, 
in  partaking  of  excellent  suppers.  With  other  gentlemen  as  guests  of  company  No.  i, 
it  was  our  good  fortune  to  have  a  place  among  the  recipients  of  the  elegant  entertain- 
ment provided  by  "  our  worthy  host"  of  the  Orange.  The  best  feeling  prevailed,  and  the 
wit  and  sentiment  which  the  occasion  elicited  were  peculiarly  appro])riate  and  happy.  An 
excellent  song  with  music,  composed  expressly  for  the  occasion  by  S.  C.  Parmenter,  of 
this  village,  was  performed  with  fine  ett'ect.  Civilities  and  comphments  wei'e  interchanged 
between  the  different  companies  through  connnittees  who  passed  from  one  festive  board 
to  another.  Company  No.  4,  in  answer  to  a  polite  invitation,  made  a  call  in  a  body  on  No. 
5,  at  their  cpiarters  at  Mi-.  J.  June's,  and  after  the  most  friendly  salutations  and  senti- 
ments had  passed,  No.  5  in  turn  called  on  No.  4  at  the  Orange.  We  are  not  particularly 
advised  as  to  the  enjoyments  of  the  other  companies,  but  pi-esurae  that  everything  passed 
off  with  the  highest  satisfaction  and  pleasure. —  Telegraph,  Jan.  7, 1841. 


260  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


haps,  have  these  customs  of  our  "  rude  forefathers "  passed  away, 
and,  doubtless,  after  us,  some  purer  than  those  which  now  prevail, 
"  will  be  shaped  out  by  wiser  men  than  we." 

CHIEF    ENGINEER. 

The  duties  of  chief  engineer,  for  several  years  after  tlie  organiza- 
tion of  the  fire  department,  were  performed  by  the  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees  and  by  the  fire  wardens.  Benoni  IT.  Howell,  it  is 
said,  was  the  first  engineer;  the  date  of  his  appointment  is  not  re- 
corded. He  was  succeeded  by  James  Belknap,  and  he  by  Benj.  F. 
Buckingham,  who  filled  the  station  for  six  years  prior  to  1850,  when 
William  Lisle  was  appointed.  In  1851,  the  trustees  gave  to  the  fire 
department  the  power  to  nominate  an  engineer  and  two  assistants; 
and  (May  1),  Cicero  A.  Gardiner  was  elected  chief;  and  Isaac  Wood, 
Jr.,  and  John  W.  Tliomas,  assistants.  On  the  1st  of  May,  1853,  Isaac 
Wood,  Jr.,  was  elected  chief;  and  John  W.  Thomas  and  J.  A.  Mc- 
Cartney, assistants.  In  1858,  the  dei)artment  failed  t(»  elect,  and  the 
trustees  appointed  Benj.  F.  BuckingJiam,  chief;  and  Aiknian  Spier 
and  Jas.  T.  Hamilton,  assistants  In  December,  1854.  the  trustees 
adopted  more  strict  regulations  for  conducting  the  nomination,  under 
which,  in  January  following,  the  department  elected  John  K.  Lawson, 
chief;  and  J.  A.  McCartney  and  John  Proudfoot,  assistants.  In  1857, 
Joim  D.  Kelly  was  elected  chief;  J.  II.  H.  Chapman,  1st  assistant, 
and  J.  J.  S.  McCroskery,  2d  assistant.  In  1859,  J.  H.  H.  Chapman, 
chi((f;  J.  J.  8.  McCroskery,  1st  assistant,  and  Hugh  McCutcheon,  2d 
assistant.  Cliancey  M.Leonard  was  elected  chief  in  1861,  and  served 
until  1874,  when  he  was  chosen  mayor  of  the  city.  His  assistants 
were:  1861,  H.  S.  Brewster,  James  C.  Taggart;  1863,  John  B.  Stans- 
brough,  John  W.  Forsyth;  1865,  John  DeLancy,  James  C.  Fanell; 
1866,  James  T.  Van  Dalfsen,  Arciiibald  Hays;  1869,  Archibald  Hays, 
Patrick  Herbert;  1873,  Archibald  Hays,  John  Fitchey.  In  1874, 
x\rchibald  Hays  was  elected  chief;  and  John  Fitchey  and  0.  S.  Hatha- 
way, Jr.,  assistants.  In  1875,  William  Nixon,  chief;  and  Elkanah  K. 
Shaw,  Robt.  W.  Hamilton,  and  Michael  Bariy,  assistants. 

FIRE    DEPARTMENT    FITND. 

In  1851,  an  incorporation  of  tlie  fire  department  became  necessary, 
in  order  to  make  available  tlie  provisions  of  an  act  of  the  legislature, 
passed  the  previous  year,  requiring  the  payment  by  insurance  compa- 
nies of  a  certain  per  centage  of  their  receipts  for  the  benefit  of  local 
local  tire  departments.  To  accomplish  this  object,  the  several  com- 
panies appointed  committees,  who  agreed  to  the  terms  of  an  act  of 
incorporation,  which  was  submitted  to  the  legislature  and  became  a 
law,  July  1,  1851.  This  act  directed  the  organization  of  a  board  of 
trustees,  composed  of  representatives  from  each  company,  to  "manag'e 


PBINCIPAL   FIRES.  261 


the  affairs  and  dispose  of  the  funds  of  the  corporation;"  and  the  cor- 
poration, by  its  by-laws,  established  a  "Fire  Department  Fund,"  the 
income  of  which  should  be  appropriated  to  the  relief  of  indigent  or 
disal)led  tiremen,  <ir  their  families,  if  such  cases  should  arise.  This 
fund,  on  tlie  24th  of  .Inly,  1851,  amounted  to  $175.68;  and,  althoug-h 
repeatedly  drawn  uixui  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  constituted, 
is  now  about  $7,000. 

FIRES. 

The  earliest  fires  of  which  there  are  either  written  or  printed  records, 
were  in  the  old  Academy  and  in  the  store  of  John  McAuley.  The  for- 
mer occurred  in  1794,  and  damaged  the  building  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent, as  appears  from  the  minutes  of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe;  tlie 
latter  is  briefly  referred  to  in  the  Newburgh  Packet  of  Feb.  20,  1795, 
and  is  stated  to  have  been  extingiiished  "without  any  material  dam- 
age to  the  building."  The  annexed  particulars,  in  reference  to  the 
principal  fires  which  occurred  prior  to  1860,  are  copied  from  the  files 
of  the  papers  to  which  they  are  credited: 

Aug.  21,  1817 — About  two  o'clock,  on  Thursday  juorniug  last,  a  fire  accidentally  broke 
out  in  the  book-bindery  of  Mr.  B.  F.  Lewis,  in  a  block  of  wooden  buildings — nearly  all  of 
it,  which  fronted  on  Water  street,  was  consumed.  The  following  is  as  accurate"  an  ac- 
count of  the  loss  sustained  as  we  have  been  able  to  collect. 

Commencing  then,  at  the  corner  of  Water  and  Third  streets,  the  first  foiu"  stores  were 
owned  by  Messrs.  Eeeve  &  Falls,  and  were  entirely  consumed — the  first  was  occupied  by 
them  as  a  store,  and  dwelling  house  for  Mr.  Falls.*  A  large  portion  of  their  goods  in  .store 
and  Mr.  Falls'  furniture  was  saved— their  loss  altogether  is  estimated  at  about  five  thou- 
sand dollars  ;  a  part  of  this  loss  was  insured.  The  next  store  was  occupied  by  Mr.  Robert 
Lawson  as  a  saddler's  shop — nearly  all  his  goods  were  saved — he  lost  about  three  hundred 
dollars.  The  next  store  was  occupied  by  Mr.  B.  F.  Lewis  as  a  book  store  and  bindery. 
As  the  fire  commenced  in  the  bindery  on  the  second  floor,  every  article  in  it  was  coii- 
sumed  ;  in  the  story  below  nearly  all  the  bound  books  were  removed  and  saved  ;  a  quan- 
tity of  sheet  work  consumed — amount  not  ascertained.  The  last  store  of  Reeve  &  Falls 
was  occupied  by  Messrs.  Lawson  &  Rabb  as  a  hardware  and  grocery  store  ;  a  large  por- 
lion  of  their  goods  removed — loss  about  three  hundred  dollars. 

The  next  fifty  feet  of  building  was  occupied  by  Mrs.  DeGrove,  and  in  part  occupied  by 
her  as  a  dwelling,  the  whole  of  which  was  lost — amount  not  ascertained.  Jonathan  Carter 
occupied  a  part  of  this  building  as  a  tobacconist  shop  and  dwelling  house — the  principal 
part  of  his  goods  saved — his  loss  about  five  hundred  dollars.  Mrs.  Randol  and  Miss  Mer- 
ritt  occupied  a  room  under  Mrs.  DeGrove's  roof,  as  a  milliner's  shop — goods  removed  and 
very  httle  loss  sustained.  The  next  house  was  owned  by  Messrs.  Forsyth  &  Bryam,  and 
occupied  by  the  latter  as  a  bakery ;  there  was  little  property  in  the  house — the'  building 
and  all  destroyed  together.  The' next  house  was  occupied  "by  Mr.  E.  Sanxay,  as  a  tailor 
shop — his  goods  were  saved  and  the  house  pulled  down.  The  next  house,  owned  by  Mr. 
Owen  BIcGahey,  and  occupied  by  George  Meckleni  as  a  shoemaker's  shop,  was  nearly 
pulled  down.  And  here,  in  the  midst  of  a  solid  block  of  wooden  buildings  fronting  on 
Water  street,  with  a  number  of  valuable  stores  in  the  rear,  by  the  extraordinary  activity 
of  the  firemen  and  citizens,  the  flames  were  allaj-ed  and  finally  extinguished. — Index. 

Feb.  15,  1821.— A  fire  broke  out  about  4  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning  last,  in  the  row 
of  wooden  Ijuildings  N.  W.  corner  of  Water  and  First  streets," in  this  village,  owned  by 
Mr.  .John  D.  Lawson,  which  were  entirely  consumed.  They  were  tenanted  l^y  William 
King,  band-box  maker  ;  Lawson  jt  Buckingham,  saddlers  ;  David  Wright,  tailor  ;  John 
Van  Nort,  baker  ;  Messrs.  Belknaps,  tallow  chandlers  ;  James  B.  Reynolds,  tailor  ;  Adna 
Treat,  looking-glass  maker  ;  Michael  Bird  and  John  Pope,  Jun.,  grocers.  The  fire  acci- 
dentally originated  in  the  shop  of  Lawson  &  Buckingham,  fi-om  which  nothing  was  saved. 
The  Messrs.  Belknap  saved  nearly  all  their  goods,  as  did  Mr.  Wright  and  Mr.  Reynolds ; 
from  the  o+lier  tenements  very  httle  was  saved.  The  buildings  were  all  of  wood,  and  the 
fire  had  made  such  progress  before  it  was  discovered,  that  it  was  impossible  to  save  any 
part  of  them. — Index. 

*  Industry. — Only  seven  days  had  elapsed  after  the  fire  before  we  were  called  upon  to 
witness  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  two  brick  stores,  by  Messrs.  Reeve  &  Falls.  The 
stone  was  laid  on  Thursday,  Aug.  28,  with  appropriate  ceremonies,  and  contains  an  in- 
scription in  commemoration  of  the  fire. — Index,  Sept.  2, 1817; 


202  HISTORY  OF   NEWBUBGH. 


Feb.  25,  1835. — George  Gardner's  old  storehouse  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  Wednesday 
eveninfr,  Feb.  25, 1835.  It  was  occupied  by  Steplien  Hayt  and  Wiiliani  Teller  for  the  storage 
of  Inmher  in  connection  with  their  lumberyard  adjoining. 

Oct.  11,  183(). — On  Tuesday  morning  last,  at  aV)out  half-past  4  o'clock,  a  tire  broke  out 
in  this  village  in  the  Steam  Grist  Mill,  at  the  south  end  of  Golden  street,  belonging  to  and 
just  erected  and  put  in  o])eration  by  Edward  Haslehurst.  The  mill,  machinery,  &c.,  were 
consumed,  with  the  two  buildings  v.hich  they  occnjiied,  and  a  blacksmith's  shop  and 
many  of  its  tools,  adjoining,  belonging  to  Mr.  J.  M.  Smith.  Mr.  Smith's  loss  has  been  es- 
timated at  about  !?500--no  insurance.  The  mill  tixtures,  grain,  &c.,  of  Mr.  Haslehurst, 
may  have  been  worth  f^KiOO— insm-ance  only  $'300.  The  buildings  occupied  by  the  mill 
were  ownt^d  by  Richard  Williams,  and  were  probably  worth  $500 — insurance  $300. — TeL 

Jan.  19,  1837. — On  Friday  night  last,  a  tire  broke  out  in  the  store  of  William  Danskin, 
toy  and  fancy  dealer,  near  the  center  of  a  wooden  block  belonging  to  J.  P.  DeWint,  Esq., 
between  the  Orange  Hotel  and  the  Newbargh  Bank.  Mr.  Danskin  barely  escaped  with 
his  family,  leaving  clothes  and  all  else  to  the  devouring  element.  Partly  insured.  Dr. 
Wm.  Johnson's  office  and  drug  shop  adjoining  on  the  south — all  lost.  No  insurance.  Wm. 
B.  Jarvis,  hatter,  next  south,  escaped  with  his  family  and  the  largest  portion  of  his  stock, 
but  with  the  loss  of  all  his  furniture,  clothing,  and  $100  in  cash.  Partly  insured.  John 
McCroskery,  grocer,  lost  his  whole  stock  of  goods,  tixtures,  &c.,  save  $60  or  $70  worth. 
No  insurance.  N.  P.  Emmett's  bakery  and  dwelling,  with  almost  their  entire  contents, 
were  destroyed.  No  insurance.  Mrs.  Harrison,  toy  and  fancy  dealer,  saved  nearly  her 
entire  stock.  Teller  &  Bloomfield.  leather  dealers,  saved  most  of  their  stock.  Wm.  G. 
Gillespie,  cabinet-maker,  adjoining  the  Bank,  saved  most  of  his  stock — Tel. 

Au(t.  27,  1847. — Our  village  was  visited  by  a  disastrous  fire  on  the  morning  of  Saturday 
last.  It  itroke  out  at  half-past  2,  in  the  stables  south  of  Blizard"s  hotel,  in  Front  street, 
and  spreading  to  the  adjoining  buildings  soon  consumed  the  south  end  of  the  block  on 
First,  between  Front  and  Water  streets.  The  loss  amounts  to  some  f30,000,  on  which 
there  was  an  insurance  of  $13,900.  The  buildings  destroyed  were  owned  by  Thos.  Pow- 
ell, A.  il-  M.  H.  Belknap,  Daniel  Farrmgton  and  John  Ledyard.  Those  of  the  Messrs. 
Belknap  and  Farrington  wei-e  valuable.  Several  shop-keepers  aud  mechanics  have  met 
with,  for  them,  heavy  losses,  among  whom  are  Daniel  Farrington,  Jr.,  painter  ;  J.  McFar- 
lan,  chair  maker  ;  J.  B.  Grummun,  hardware  ;  A.  Dezendort,  carpenter  ;  J.  Lynch,  black- 
smith ;  Mrs.  Strachan,  miUinery. — Tel. 

Oct.  8,  1848. — About  9  o'clock  on  Tuesday  evening  last,  a  tire  broke  (uit  in  this  village, 
in  the  stables  of  the  Union  Hotel,  in  Front 'street,  owned  by  D.  Crawford  and  occupied  by 
John  Richards.  Mr.  R.  loses  upwards  of  500  bushels  of  oats  and  several  tons  of  hay, 
upon  which  there  was  no  insurance.  The  loss  on  the  stables  is  fully  covered  by  insur- 
ance. From  the  stables  the  fire  communicated  to  the  rear  of  the  buildings  contiguous  on 
Water  street,  occupied  by  Chas.  H.  Hasbrouck,  dry  goods  ;  C.  W.  Post,  dry  goods :  Mr. 
Jarvis,  hat  store  :  Jno.  W.  Warren,  shoe  store  ;  and  Sands  iV  Raymond,  superintended  by 
Chas.  firwin,  hat  store  ;  and  theii-  stocks  of  goods  were  materially  injured  by  water  and 
by  removal.  The  whole  amount  of  damage,  we  presume,  will  not  reach  $8,000,  and  is 
covered  by  insurance,  except  the  loss  sustained  by  Mr.  Young.  Stephen  Hayt  and  seve- 
ral others  were  i)ut  to  some  loss  and  a  great  deal  of  inconvenience  by  a  removal  of  their 
effects,  among  whom  were  Fullerton  &  Fowler,  law  ofhce,  and  the  proprietor  of  this  paper. 
—  TeL 

Dec.  17,  1848. — Alarge  frame  building  on  Front  street,  in  this  tillage,  formerly  occupied 
by  Oakley  &  Davis,  but  at  the  time  in  part  by  Mr.  Charles  Barnes  as  a  grocery,  and  in  part 
by  Capt.  Bullis  as  a  storehouse,  was  destroyed  by  tire  on  Tuesday  morning.  The  build- 
ing belonged  to  the  Highland  Bank,  and  was  insured  for  $2,400,  which  fidly  covers  the 
loss.  Mr.  Barnes  was  insured  for  $1,500.  Several  persons  had  articles  on  storage  in  the 
building,  most  of  which  they  lost,  amounting  perhaps  to  1500. —  Tel. 

The  principal  fives  of  more  recent  date*  have  been: 

IMakch  1,  1865 — Washington  Iron-works ;  loss  135,000.  The  fire  originated  in  the  tool- 
room of  the  boiler  shop ;  the  w'hole  structure,  covering  a  space  of  neai'ly  two  hundred 
feet,  was  burned  to  the  gnnind  in  about  an  lumr. 

Dec.  15,  1865 — Washington  Iron-works :  loss  $45,000.  This  fire  also  consumed  the  old 
Bath  Hotel  and  the  carpenter  shop  of  T.  Shaw  &  St)ns. 

April  11,  1867— Washington  Iron-works  ;  loss  $100,000. 

July  11,  1869— Plaster  mill  of  Brown  &  Embler ;  loss  $14,000. 

Dec.  17,  1870— Washington  Iron-Works  ;  loss,  to  Homer  Ramsdell,  owner,  $150,000  ;  to 
Alex.  Cauldwell,  boiler  shop  adjoining,  $17,000;  Geo.  L.  Monell,  brass  castings  works, 
$8,500,  and  $200  to  the  ship-yard  of  A.  BuUman. 

July  15,  1871 — Saw  Mill  and  three  dwellings  of  James  Bigler,  South-Water  street ;  loss 
$65,000. 

Sept.  22, 1871— Boiler  shop  of  Alex.  Cauldwell,  102  and  104  Front  street ;  loss  $25,000. 
The  fire  extended  to  106  and  100  Front  street,  with  a  loss  of  about  $3,000. 


*  Since  1870,  a  record  of  fires  has  been  pubUshed  in  the  reports  of  the  chief  engineer  of 
the  tire  department,  to  which  reference  may  be  had. 


REGATTA  ASSOCIATION.  2n8 


Dec.  1, 1871— United  States  Hotel,  Front  street;  loss  to  Mr.  Ramsdell,  owner,  $6,000  ; 
to  aoodscll  brothers,  lessees,  $5,800 ;  Victor  Scharps,  clothing,  $2,218  ;  Thos.  .Jessnp, 
teas,  $1,000. 

Dec.  2,  1871— Stables,  Ferry  street ;  loss  to  Mr.  Ramsdell,  owner,  $1,500  ;  Beede  &  Van 
Dnzer,  lessees,  $4,500. 

May  9,  1872— Foundry  of  Clark  *  Kimball ;  loss  $4,000. 

June  9, 1873— Building,  stock,  barge,  etc.,  of  W.  O.  MalUer  &  Co.;  loss  $76,700.  Losses 
on  buildings,  etc.,  adjacent,  $36,248.97. 

July  16,  1873— Building,  etc.,  of  J.  H.  Matthews,  corner  Soutli  and  Water:  loss  $3,500. 

July  17,  1873— Erie  R.  R.  company's  work-sbop  ;  loss  $3,000. 

Nov.  8,  1873— Second  M.  E.  Clnu'cb  ;  loss  $2,500. 

July  17,  1874— Haigh  &  Mellor's  mills  ;  loss  $17,000. 

July  26,  1874— Wrigbt  Engine-works  (Homer  Ramsdell  owner);  loss  $77,000. 

April  28,  1875— Homer  Ramsdell,  out-storehouse  ;  loss  $4,286.  Losses  on  goods  in 
store  by  dittcrent  parties,  $12,016. 

The  losses  by  fire  and  tlie  aiiiouuts  received  i'or  insurance,  for  years 

ending-  April  1st  nnd  June  1st,  since  ISlil,  liave  been  as  lollows: 

YEAK.  LOSS.  INSURANCE. 

1862 $24,359.00 $10,744.00— Year  ending  April  1st. 

1863 15,932.88 9,124.00 

1864 3,512.00 3,082.00 

1865 52,918.00 26,753.00 

1866 72,966.00 41,071 .00— To  June  1st. 

1867 113.252.00 .58,152.00— Year  ending  June  1st. 

1868 3,620.00 1,837.00 

1869 9,850.00 2,420.00 

187(1 27,950.75 15,638.08 

1871 187,871.00 92,011.00  "  " 

1872 140.701.50 85,454.50  "  '■ 

1873 11,971.40 6,674.95  " 

1874 205,300.00 128,892.21  "  " 

1875  1.36,777.00 118,260.00 


O  Total,  15  yrs.     .n,006,981.53  .$600,113.74 

NEWBUR(JH    RK(;aTT.\    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Newburgh  Regatta  Association  was  organized  in  the  spring  of 
183t,  through  the  exertions  of  Capt.  Henry  Robinson,  ('apt.  Charles 
Ludlow  was  elected  president,  and  J.  J.  Monell,  secretary.  The  first 
regatta  took  place  June  27,  1837,  when  the  following  four-oared  boats 
were  entered,  viz: 

1.  Gazelle,  scarlet,  red  and  white  dress,  red  and  white  cap,  New  York. 

2.  Hi(/hian(l  Wave,  black,  whiter  dress,  blue  and  white  cap,  Newbnrgh. 

3.  GuU,  blue,  blue  and  white  dress,  straw  hat,  New  York. 

4.  Wave,  black,  blue  and  white  dress,  blue  and  white  cap,  New  York. 

5.  Halcyon.,  green,  green  and  white  dress,  blue  and  white  cap.  New  York. 
,6.  Pearl,  white,  blue  and  white  checked  dress,  straw  hat,  New  York. 

7.  Minerva,  East  India  Particular,  red  and  white  dress,  red  and  white  cap.  New  York. 

8.  (Jorsair,  black,  green  and  white  dress,  red  cap,  Newburgh. 

The  distance  rowed  was  five  miles,  and  the  time  made  by  the  win- 
ning boats  !is  follows,  viz:  Wave,  32m.  88s.;  Gull,  33m.  38s.;  Corsair, 
35m.  The  prizes  were  awarded  by  J.  ,1.  Monell,  wlio  delivered  an 
appropriate  address  on  the  occasion. 

The  regatta  of  1838  was  for  the  benefit  of  the  Newburgh  Library 
Association.  The  following  were  tlie  Ixtats  entered,  viz:  Galatea, 
Highland  Wave,  ('orsair,  and  Scilla.  Time:  Galatea,  24m.  35s.; 
Wave,  24m.  50s.;  (Jorsair,  25m.  4(>s.;  Scilla,  27m.  Another  regatta 
was  held  in  lS3y,  l»nt  tln^  record  has  not  been  ])i'esei'v<'d. 


264  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

Tho  Association  was  reorganized  in  1856,  and  a  reg-atta  was  held 
July  4th,  of  that  year.  Three  races  were  run,  viz:  By  fonr-oared 
boats;  donble-scull  boats,  and  single-scull  boats.  For  the  first  race, 
the  W.  H.  Terboss,  the  Jacob  Swartzer,  and  the  Whitehall,  of  Ne^v 
York,  and  the  Witch  of  tlie  Wave,  of  Cold  Spring,  were  entered. 
The  first  prize  was  taken  by  the  Terboss  in  2t  minutes;  the  second 
by  the  Swartzer  in  27^  minutes,  and  the  third  by  the  Whitehall.  For 
the  second  race,  the  Enoch  Carter,  the  T.  C.  Ring-,  the  Geo.  W.  Shaw, 
the  S.  Roach,  and  the  Fanny  Fern,  w(M-e  entered.  The  first  prize  was 
won  by  the  Carter  in  30  minutes,  the  second  by  the  Ring  and  the  third 
b}^  the  Shaw.     The  third  race  was  won  bj'  the  Gale  in  36  minutes. 

The  regatta  of  the  Associatiim  on  the  4th  of  July,  1857,  was  one 
of  more  than  usual  historic  interest  from  the  fact  that  it  was  the 
occasion  of  the  ddnd  of  the  famous  oarsmen,  doshua  and  William  11. 
Ward.  The  race  was  a  double-scull,  and  the  distance  full  four  miles. 
The  Wards  rowed  in  tlie  Fanny  Fern,  and  carried  ofi"  the  first  prize; 
time  38  minutes  and  30  seconds.  Tlie  regattas  of  the  Association 
were  among  the  first  on  the  Hudson,  and  from  them  and  the  oarsmen 
which  they  developed  sprang,  in  a  great  measure,  all  the  princi]>al 
cont(>sts  which  have  occurred  in  this  country,  whetlun-  local  or  intc^-- 
national.* 

NEWBURGH    HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

The  first  Horticultural  society  of  Xewburgh  was  organized  Jan- 
uary 13,  1829 — Rev.  John  Brown,  president;  Selah  Reeve  and  William 
Roe,  vice  presidents;  Aarim  Belknap,  treasurer;  Jno.  W.  K novels, 
corresponding  secretary;  Tooker  Wygant,  recording  secretary.  The 
first  exhibition  of  the  society  was  held  August  28,  1829,  when  pre- 
miums were  awarded  for  twenty-four  diflerent  kinds  of  culinary  vee,-- 
('tables,  and  also  for  melons,  grapes,  peatdies,  and  twenty  specimens 
of  fiowers.  Tiie  officers  for  the  succeeding  year  were:  Kev.  John 
BroAvn,  president;  David  Ruggles  and  Charles  Ludlow,  vice  presi- 
dents; the  other  ofiicers  remaining  as  during  the  previous  year.  The 
society  continued  annual  exhibitions  for  several  years,  but  ultimately 
ceased.  Its  successor,  the  Newburgh  Bay  Horticultural  Society,  was 
organiz(>d  in  1862 — H.  W.  Sargeant,  president;  Odell  S.  Hathaway, 
and  lvob(>rt  Sterling,  vice  presidents;  Alfred  Post,  treasurer;  K.  W. 
Gray,  recording  secretary;  J.  C.  Rennison,  corresponding  secretary. 
The  society  has  held  annual  and  semi-annual  exhibitions  since  its 
organization,  and  developed  a  jneviously  latent  interest  in  the  higher 
branches  of  gard(>n  culture. 


*  the  Ward  brothers,  William  H.,  Joshua,  Gilbert  and  Ellis  F.,  defeated  two  picked 
English  crows  111  the  international  regatta  at  Sarato.ga,  Sei)t.  11,  1871.  Joshua  was  the 
winner  of  tin-  chainpit)n  helt  in  the  contest  off  Stateii  Island,  October  11th.  ISoit.  Walter 
Brown  and  John  Haneon  were  also  pupils  in  the  regattas  of  the  Association. 


MECHANICAL  INDUSTRIES.  265 


MECHANICAL    INDUSTRIES. 

Newbnrgh  received  its  first  carpenter,  its  first  l)lacksmitli,  its  first 
weaver,  and  its  first  stocking-maker,  with  tlic  f'alatine  imiiiigraiits. 
Their  successors  and  those  wlio  were  eng-agcil  in  othei'  mechanical 
pursuits  prior  to  about  the  conunencenieiit  u\'  the  present  century,  are 
liuried  witli  the  records  of  the  pioneer  era,  except  as  here  and  there 
preserve(l  by  tradition.  Beyond  tliat  of"  carpenters,  blacksmiths,  and 
a  few  other  trades,  however,  the  uumlicr  of  niechaiiics  was  limitcHl. 
Gnnit  Britain,  the  mother  country,  would  not  permit  the  colonists  to 
eng-age  in  manufacturing'  to  any  extent;  whatever  the  settlers  re- 
(piired  llicy  were  oblig-ed  to  import  or  supply  by  domestic  substitutes. 
The  wives  and  daughters  spun  the  yarn  and  tiie  flax,  wove  and  colored 
the  (loth  and  made  the  clothing;  the  leach-tub  was  more  familiar  in 
the  door-yard  than  the  rose  bush,  and,  with  llie  refuse  fats  of  the 
tables,  furnished  the  soaps;  candles  were  also  the  product  of  the 
household.  Shoes  were  wrought  by  shoe-makers  wiio  visited  the 
houses  ol'  their  customers.  'i'lie  farmer  made  his  own  sleds  and 
carts,  and  in  most  cases  was  the  architect  and  the  Imilder  oi'  his  own 
dwelling  and  outhouses.  Passing  this  era  and  considering  that  by 
which  it  was  succeeded,  we  have,  since  1795,  an  approximately  cor- 
rect record  of  the  introduction  of  mechanical  industries.* 

John  Hairis  had  the  first  shop  for  the  manufacture  and  sale  of 
hats.  He  rented  the  old  Belknaji  house  (adjoining  the  whaling  com- 
pany's storehouse  oti  the  north)  in  1195;  his  shop  was  in  the  l)asement 
on  the  east  side,  which  then  I'ronted  the  thoroughfare  leading  to  the 
dock.  Jonathan  Butler  was  the  next,  in  ISOI.  Harris  sohl  his  busi- 
ness (1810)  to  Minard  Harris  and  David  Sands,  who  c<(ntinued  it  for 
several  years.  It  then  ])asse(l  to  David  Sands,  who  may  be  claimed 
as  the  founder  ol'  the  more  modern  oi'der  of  hat  stores;  in  1S30,  he 
was  selling  "  Synun's  splendid  satin  beaver  hats  for  live  dollars,  and 
a  beautiful  hat  at  lour  dollars."  David  M.  11.  Sands  continued  the 
business  of  his  father  for  some  years.  While  hat  stores  are  now 
abundant,  but  one  practical  hatter  remains. 

Shoe  making  passed  from  Richard  Hikeman  and  Josejjh  Albertson, 
in  the  days  of  tin-  Revolution,  to  Welch  A:  Rierson  (Henry  Welch  and 
Caleb  Pierson)  in  1198.  Their  shop  was  the  first  in  which  shoes  were 
kept  for  sale.  Joseph  Norman  and  James  Curry  commenced  in  1803. 
The  former  imide  a  specialty  of  ladies'  shoes,  which  he  supplied  "by 
the  dozen  at  New  York  prices,"  but  the  business  of  the  place  was  so 
light  that  his  shop  was  not  kept  open  in  winter.  Saml.  ().  Gregory 
was  in  the  business  soon  after,  and  Samuel  McCartney,  (Jeorge  Meck- 


*•  It  is  not  (IcKigiKid  to  embracer  the  namt^s  of  all  jjcrsoiis  who  liave  beeu  engaged  in 
mechanical  business  ;  such  a  record  would  bo  inipossible. 


2fi6  mSTOBY  OF  NEWBUHGTi. 

l(Mn,  Milcis  WtuTcii  and  Thomas  Bartlett.  were  subsequently  am()n,a:the 
principal  makers  and  dealers;  the  latter  commencing-  in  1832. 

Marsh  &  Ferris  were  the  first  tailors  (about  1798);  Daniel  Niven 
came  next,  in  1799.  James  B.  Reynolds,  David  Wrig-ht,  Edmund 
Sanxay,  Isaac  Egbert,  and  Reuben  S.  Close,  Avere  in  the  business  soon 
alter  the  conniiencement  of  the  centnry,  and  after  trying  it  alone, 
niiite(l  in  partnershi]*  in  1811,  under  the  title  of  Reynolds,  Wright  & 
Co.  They  afterwards  dissolved  and  went  tlieir  several  ways.  Ed- 
mund Sanxay  subsequently  (1832)  established  iiims(df  in  the  store 
now  kept  by  his  grandson,  W.  B.  Sanxay,  where  lie  carried  on  tailor- 
ing and  sold  groceries  and  liquors.  William  lloyle  was  in  Itnsiness 
in  1830,  and  was  sui'ceeded  by  his  son,  Mark  C.  Hoyle.  William 
Sterling,  as  a  tailor  and  dealer  in  second-hand  clothing,  founded  the 
estal)lishment  of  A.  &  R.  Sterling.  Ready-made  clothing  was  broug'ht 
in  by  Levi  Hart  in  1832. 

Watches  and  clocks  came  in  1800,  when  C!eorg'e  (iordoii,  who  sub- 
scribed himself  "from  Ireland,"  connnenced  watch  making  in  a  build- 
ing on  the  site  now  occupied  by  (-hapman's  drug  store;  he  removed  to 
the  south-west  t-orner  of  Water  and  Second  street,  "where  he  remained 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Ebenezer  B.  Ayres  also  coinmenced  the 
Inisiness  in  1800,  and  .loseph  Reeve  in  1804.  The  latter  continued  for 
a  short  time  and  then  took  up  the  manufacture  of  whalebone  whips 
in  ctumection  with  it;  he  also  sold  military  goods  antl  groceries. 
His  sou,  Chas.  Reeve,  was  his  successor;  he  reuioved  the  business  to 
"his  new  store,  55  Water  street,  next  door  south  of  Brown's  hardwai'c 
store,"  in  1832,  where  he  continued  until  his  deatii.  Henry  B.  Myer 
(father  of  the  distinguishetl  chief  of  the  Signal  Bureau  at  Washing-ton) 
was  in  business  in  1820;  his  shop  was  on  the  north-west  corner  of 
Water  and  Second  street.  His  successor  was  Benoni  H.  Howell,  and 
Nelson  Haight  succeeded  Mr.  Howell.  Tobias  1).  Lander  was  in  the 
trade  here  in  I82(i;  in  1835,  he  occupied  pint  of  what  is  now  No.  74 
Water  street. 

Hem-y  W.  Crissey  was  a  "Fancy  and  Windsor  chair  maker,"  iu 
Second  street,  "two  doors  west  of  llolfman  &  Roe's  drug:  store,"  in 
1809.  Hugh  Spier  was  the  first  cabinet-maker  (1788)  and  also  the 
lirst  undertaker;  he  was  in  business  in  1801,  o)i  the  corner  of  Smith 
and  Second  street,  "at  the  sign  of  the  cradle  and  coffin."  William 
Scott  and  Thomas  A.  Powell  were  next;  the  business  of  the  latb'r 
has  come  down  to  tin;  present  generation. 

Selah  R(>eve  started  in  business  life  in  1799,  as  a  manufacturer  of 
earthen  wares,  and  subse(piently  continued  it  under  the  firm  of  Keeve 
&  Burling  (1803).  lie  established  a  crockery  store  in  Wab-r  stre(>t 
soon  alter;  the  latter  business  has  come  down   hy  regulai-  succession 


• 


MECHANICAL  INDUSTRIES.  267 


tf)  James  E.  Horton.     The  pottery  of  the  firm   (on   Smith   str(>et  near 
South)  was  continued  for  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

.lolin  Patterson  was  the  first  tin-plate  worker  and  copper-smith  in 
1791.  The  copper-smithino'  brancli  of  the  trade  was  for  many  yeai's 
a  principal  item,  as  it  embraced  the  manuCiK-tnre  and  repair  of  the 
vessels  and  apparatus  in  use  in  distilleries  in  ihe  district.  Pell  & 
Wood,  David  Pliillips  and  Phillips  &  Lomas,  were  tlie  next. 

Robert  Ferguson  commenced  the  stone-cutting  business  on  llen- 
wick's  dock  in  1798,  and  John  Currie  on  Gardner's  dock  in  1802;  and 
furnished  the  grave-stones  for  tlieir  eont<'ni])oraries.  Thornton  M. 
Niven  and  Peter  Kay  performed  the  same  duty  in  later  years. 

The  baking  business  runs  back  to  1791),  when  .Fohn  and  Joseph 
Hoffman  opened  a  sliop  on  the  east  side  (•!'  Water  street  near  Second, 
and  sohl  nuts,  fruits  Miid  confections  in  connection  with  cake  and 
bread.  In  1804  the  jiartnershi])  was  dissolved,  and  Jctsepli  started  on 
his  own  account  on  th(!  op|)osite  side  of  the  street,  and  remained  there 
until  his  deatli.  During  the  later  years  (if  iiis  life  his  son-in-law, 
l^addock  Chapman,  was  his  associate.  Alter  Mr.  Hoflinan's  death, 
Mr.  Chapman  continued  the  business  in  company  with  his  son,  J.  H. 
H.  Chapman,  who  subsequently  became  the  successdr  of  the  firm  of  I*. 
Chapman  &  Son.  Mr.  Bryam  was  the  success(tr  of  .bihn  Hoffman  at 
his  old  stand,     dolin  Van  Nort  was  the  next  l)aker. 

Peter  Banncn  had  a  shop  for  the  manufacture  of  soap  and  candles, 
"in  the  north  part  of  ^Vater  street,"  in  1804;  but  it  is  said  that  an 
earlier  one  was  founded  by  Abel  Belknap  near  or  on  the  corner  of 
what  is  now  Water  and  First  street.  Mr.  Belknap's  successors,  on  his 
death  in  1804,  were  his  sons,  Abel  and  Moses  H.,  who  continued  the 
business  until  1855,  when,  on  the  death  of  the  latter  (his  brother  Abel 
having  died  the  previous  year),  the  property  passed  to  his  heirs.  It 
is  now  conducted  by  his  grandson,  Moses  C.  Belknap,  in  partnership 
with  Mr.  McCann.  Robert  and  John  McCutclieon  engaged  in  the 
business  on  Golden  street,  and  James  McConkey  on  Western  Avenue, 
some  years  after  the  Belknaps.  The  business  of  the  former  descended 
to  Hugh  McCutclieon,  and  that  Mr.  McConkey  was  purchased  by  John 
McCutcheon  and  continued  until  his  death. 

The  manufacture  of  tobacco  was  commenced  by  Matthew  DuBois  in 
May,  1799,  "in  Smith  street,  next  door  south  of  Heiny  Brewster's 
tavern;"*  and  in  July  of  the  same  year,  by  Jonathan  Carter  in  Water 
street,  "  next  door  to  the  Hofi'mans."  The  latter  has  had  reg-tdar 
succession  on  the  original  site — Win.  M.  Wiley,  Enoch  ('arter,  ('artei- 
&  McCann,  Alex.  McCann,  and  .1.  W.  McCullough. 


*  The  north  end  of  Smith  street  was  quit(!  a  buniness  phice  at  this  time.  It  had  a  tavern, 
a  pottery,  a  tobacconist,  and  a  wagon-wright. 


0(58  mf^rORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


Joliii  ro(i|>ri- was  the  liist  hrowcr  ol"  alt's.  ITtM'onuiuMU'cd  tli(>  busi- 
ness in  1804,  in  "  \\  atcr  street,  near  Lawson  I'V:  Ounnelly's  tan-yard." 
James  I>nnla|>  was  the  next;  he  t>reete(l  the  nialt-hinise  on  Ijihertv 
street,  eoiiier  nt'  W'ashinnion.  -lanuvs  Law  was  the  associate  ol'  Mi-. 
I>nnhi|i  I'orsoine  time  [trior  to  181(),  and  became  his  sneeessor  dnrinn' 
that  year.  Jolm  Heveridii'e  was  Mr.  Law's  associate  in  IS'2'2.  Jolin 
l'\irs_vth  was  added  to  the  tirm  in  18^5.  and  its  tith'  ehanu'ed  to  Law, 
Heveridii'e  A:  Co.  On  the  death  ol'  Mv.  l^aw,  the  hnsiness  was  continned 
by  ins  snrviviiii;'  partners  and  Iv  Ward  l'\irrin>;'ton  nmh'r  the  title  of 
J.  Beveridji'e  \'  Co.  Kohert  .\.  Korsytli,  Thonuis  Heveridu'e  and  donas 
Williams  sneeeeded  the  old  linn;  the  bnsiness  is  now  condneted  by 
the  two  last  named  L;-enllemen.  The  malt-honse  at  the  loot  o['  Clinton 
street  was  oei'n|>i(Hl  by  Ledyard  &  IbiHois  in  18"22.  and  eonstitnted  on(> 
ol"  the  thriH>  Incweries  of  that  time,  dohn  Howard  started  a  brew(>rv 
in  the  oM  whalinu'  storelionse  abont  IStU).  lie  nnide  a  small  I'orlnne 
dnrinu' the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and  abandoned  the  trade  and  retnrned 
to  Kni^dand.      Others  ha\'e  l>een  in  the  bnsiness.  bnt  withoni  snt'Ct^ss. 

\Vm.  r.  l)odo-e  was  the  tirst  saddle  and  harness  maker,  in  \1W. 
and  Henry  Tndoi-  was  his  snecessor.  John  !>.  Lawson  was  their  eoii- 
temptirary.  IJoIm.  Lawson  (^18U)),  B.  F.  Huckino-hani,  Lewis  denning-s 
and  John  IL  Wiltsie  brouii'ht  the  trade  down  the  prestmt  u'eneration. 

The  lirst  tanner  was  IMiineas  Howell;  the  lirst  cnrrier  Teler  Hon- 
ludly.  The  lormer  had  his  shop  on  the  noilji-west  corner  of  Smith  and 
Tliird  street.  In  1804.  John  !>.  Lawson  ami  Jas.  nonnelly  condneted 
(in  partncrsldpV  the  bnsim-ss  o\'  tanners  and  cnrriers  al  ihe  yai'd 
subsctpiently  owned  by  |)a\  id  H.  Hartday.  The  partnership  was  di.s- 
solved  soon  after,  and  .Mr.  Doniudly  established  a  new  yard;  William 
Mathewson  was  his  associate  in  1811.  and  James  Wood  in  181ti. 
The  latter  sold  i,,  Jenathan  Kanlkner  in  1820;  Donnelly  \  Kanlkiun- 
sold  to  Samnel  J.  I'annnn  and  (ieorp-  Sonlhwick  about  I82il:  Sonth- 
wick  sold  his  half  to  Lewis  Jenning-s  in  1882.  Mr.  Jennings  sidisi'- 
quiMitly  purchased  Mr.  Larnnm's  inti-rest.  and  at  a  later  period  had 
Mr.  !McKinstry  for  his  associate.  The  oriudnal  Lawson  A:  Honiudly 
yard  was  purchast-d  by  Saml.  (i.  Snedcn  and  David  11.  Barclay  in  the 
spring  of  1824.  and  coutimu-d  as  a  morot'co  factory.  .Mr.  SnediMi  died 
HI  1886.  and  Mr.  Barclay  sold  to  James  Dicki-y  in  18T0.  Their  prede- 
cessors in  the  trade  were  Knos  Kandol  and  Josiah  BraiduMt,  in  181(>. 

N  cry  lew  of  the  ancient  honses  of  Newlnn;i;-h  were  painted;  that 
luxury  Ci.nld  not  be  atVorded  liy  the  inhabitants  u'cnerally.  nor  was  it 
the  fashion  ,.f  tlu'  times.  What  [Kiintiiij;-  was  done  was  usually  per- 
tonned  by  carpiMiters,  who  also  nnule  the  doors  and  sash  and  ••  set  the 
.ii-lass."  Painting-  and  .u-laziuii-.  as  a  distinct  branch  of  mechaincal  in- 
dustry, was  iirst  c..nductcd   (K^04)   by  Sylvester  Koe,  who,   in    1810, 


MECHANICAL  INI) [fSTRJKS. 


2(i<) 


ill  (-oinpfuiy  with  'I'Ihuikis  PliillipH,  uiidci-  llic  (inn  nainc  i>\'  \Uh-  & 
niiilips,  opened  a  store  "on  tiie  cor'iier  ol'  Scc(iii(l  slreel,  opposite  lo 
Die  Ceri-y,"  wliere  Miey  c.iirried  on  "  tlie  painlin,^-  hiiKiness  in  all  ils 
varions  l)ianelies,"  and  kepi  for  sale  i.'ennselaer  an<l  lirislol  "•jjiss, 
and  also  oils  and  paints.  Tlieir  old  store  is  still  slandiii;^'  on  llie 
corner,  init  is  no  lon^'er  "opposite  to  tlir  ferry"  in  the  sense  thai  it 
was  then.  I'hillips  &  S(!ynioin'  were  their  sin-eessors  in  JiSiC),  and 
snl>se(piently  .lohn  \).  I'll il lips;  the  shop  oC  the  hit  ter  was  hack  on  the 
river  hank  immediately  adjoininj^-  the  Iniled  States  holel,  where  it, 
stood  nntil  ahont  1840,  when  it  was  eclipsed  l»y  the  Io^l;'  cahin  v\liich 
was  ei-ected  hy  the  wjii;;-  party.  I'iiillips  tV  l''arrinji,ton  were  tiie 
Hncecssors,  in  iSjCi,  of  'I'homas  Allen,  who  conmiencecl  hiisiness  some 
years  previously.  Farrin,L;ton  «t  Lander  (Daniel  l''ai-rinjjion  and  Ijcii- 
janiin  l^ander)  were  their  snccessors  and  the  contemporaries  of  John 
I).  I'iiillips;  their  store  and  shop  in  I  S:'>()  was  on  the  site  of  I  he  present 
No.  1(1  Water  str(;(!t.  Daniel  Karriii^'ton  continued  the  luisiness  al'tei- 
the  death  of  Ml',  fiander  in  1889,  and  K/>ra  and  Dani(d  I'^arriiif^ton,  .Jr. 
aftfi'  tli(!  death  of  tlieir  father  until  1875.  y\roinid  these  pioneer  shops 
othci'is  Hpranj;-  up, of  which  that  of  dames  S.  Yonnii'  was  the  ilrst. 
Gcor^v.  Clark  was  asKociatcid  with  liim  in  1841,  under  the  title  of 
^^^^  'i'oiinf^  &  Clark.     Mr.  Clark  with- 

drew and  went  to  New  York,  and 
Mr.   Voiin^'  was  succeeded   hy  ()|-- 
anj^-e    \V(d)st<'r.       Adam    Lilijiirn, 
who  learned   the  trade   with   .1.  D. 
Phillips,   was  conteinpoi-ary    with 
3i'3    Yonij^'  &  (.'lark.     He  sold  to  K.T. 
('oinslock,  who   siihseipicnth'   had 
Levi  l>.  Livinjj,"slon    for  his  associ- 
^  ate.       Meanwhile    (J.   M.    Leonaid 
f§@cfii^ :  >i /^'^■'^?^^^^  ami    ]'](].    Post  started   a    shop   ;id- 

joiniii^'  (Jomstock  it  Livin;4-ston, 
on  Front  street.  Peter  Ward  hoiiuht  Mr.  Post's  interest  in  18()(),  and 
08tal)lislie(l  the  tirm  of  Ward  &  Le(»nar<l,  now  Ward  &  Loiran. 

William  I'looiner,  at  lialmville,  was  perhaps  the  iii'st  waj^'on-wrif^dit; 
but  the  more  mo(lern  order  came  in  with  Samiiel  Dowiiin.Li;  whose  s1h)[) 
was  in  Piherty  street  (old  town;.  He  sohl  to  denidnj;-s  <fc  Arcniariiis 
in  1810,  and  dex'oled  his  attention  entir<dy  to  the  nursery  husincjss, 
which  lie  had  previously  established.  Lewis  DnPxiis  coinnienced  in 
1824.  Jarnes  W.  Pow(dl,  Benj.  B.  tiardner,  and  Selah  T.  McColliim 
were  <jf  later  periods,  and  won;  succeeded  l)y  Atkinson  &  DetirotV. 
Lewis  J.  Bazzoni,  repnjsenting'  tln^  advanced  processes  of  production, 
entered  the  business  iii  1850,  in  association   with  .J.  DeForcst  and  A. 


270  HISTORY  OF  XE]VBUBGB. 

W.  IjaTour,  wluisc  separate  brauelics  lie  purrhaisetl  in  lSo().  SiiK'(> 
that  time  liis  payments  for  labor  have  riNiehed  $17,000  per  annum. 

Tlie  manuiaeturt'  ol"  iron  and  brass,  wliieli  of  h»te  years  has  t'onsti- 
tuted  an  important  eh-ment  in  the  mechanical  industries  of  the  city, 
had  its  bet;-innin,<;-  alxml  the  year  1821,  when  Mr.  Henry  R.  Carpenter 
erected  a  buildiui;-  for  foundry  purposes  in  Front  street,  south  of  the 
United  States  hotel,  and  entitled  his  concern  " 'f he  Ne\vburi;-h  Iron 
and  Brass  I'oundiy."  in  1  So2  he  removed  from  this  building"  to  one 
which  he  erecteil  on  the  north-east  corner  of  W'estein  Avenue  and 
(Irand  street,  and  which  now  constitutes  the  southern  portion  of  the 
establishment  of  Whitehill,  Snutii  iV  ('o.  After  Ixmul;-  here  a  short 
time,  .Mr.  Carpenler  ilied,  and  the  ]M-operty  passtni  to  John  VV.  Wcdls, 
one  of  his  heirs.  The  business  was  continued  by  Mr.  Wtdls  uidil 
1834,  when  John  11.  Corwin  became  associated  in  its  nianag'ement. 
The  tirm  continued  for  four  years  under  the  title  of  Wells  &  Corwin, 
when  Mr.  Wells  withdrew.  Mr.  Ct)rwin  continued  the  business  with 
differiMit  associates — Mr.  Malsey.  Mr.  A.  IJ.  Wood  and  others — until 
18t>4,  when  his  sons,  Isaac  and  Edward,  in  association  with  Sand. 
Stanton,  under  the  title  of  Corwin.  Stanton  &  Co.,  purchased  it. 
Whitehill,  Snnth  &  Co.,  are  now  its  proprietors. 

In  1843,  Stanton,  Clark  »lv:  Co.  (Isaac  Stanton,  K.  II  Clark,  Nicholas 
Wilson,  and  Jas,  Robinson),  erei'tetl  a  foundry  and  machine  shop,  of 
brick,  30x80  feet,  at  the  foot  of  South  street  on  Front,  to  wliich  the 
title  of  '•Highland  Furnace"  was  given.  Sand.  (I.  Kind)all  bought 
an  interest  in  the  works  in  184t>.  The  business  was  continued  by  the 
Hrni  for  eight  years,  when,  on  the  expiration  of  the  lease  to  them 
(April  1,  18ol),  from  J.  Beveridg'e  &  Co..  the  lattt>r  tirm  leased  the 
property  to  Samuel  .\.  Walsh  &  Co.  Mr.  Walsh  sold  to  (Toorg'o  A. 
FJliott,  who  s(Jd  to  Homer  Kainsdell,  by  whom  the  business  was 
transferred  to  the  \Vashingt()n  Iron-works.  In  18(i2,  Jas.  11.  Mallory 
and  Isaac  Stanton  leased  the  property,  but  I'ontinued  business  lor 
only  a  year  or  two.  The  works  were  quite  extensive  at  one  time; 
they  are  now  oceupied  for  the  manufacture  of  paints. 

Wright.  Mallory  cV:  Smitli  established  in  1852,  on  the  corner  of 
Water  and  Washington  street,  the  '•  Washing-ton  Iron-works."  Their 
successors  were  Malloiy,  K'aines  &  Co..  until  18(i0.  when  the  property 
passed  into  the  hands  o|'  an  ini-or|)orated  company — Homer  llanisdell, 
president;  George  M.  Clapp.  secretary  and  treasurer,  'i'he  property 
of  the  comi)any,  in  18(55,  covered  an  area  of  about  twenty  acres  with 
nearly  twelve  hundred  feet  of  water-front,  and  included  the  numufac- 
ture  of  eng-ines,  boilers,  car  wheels,  etc.  An  apitroximate  idi-a  of  the 
extent  of  its  business  may  be  obtained  from  the  fact  that  its  pay-roll 
reached  $60,000  a  month,  or  |t00,000  a  year.     A  company  of  whii-h 


MECHANICAL   L\JjUSTRIJ£S.  271 


Mr.  ('lu|)|)  wiis  |ii('si(|('ii1,  siu;cecd('<l  IIk'  nnc  which  was  ui-j^-aiiizcil  in 
18()0,  ami  iicciipicd  thi'  piopi'ity  fin  part)  iin<h'i'  h'asf  IVnin  Mi-.  IJauiK- 
(IcII;  llic  hoih'i-  slii)|)  was  l(!as('d  by  Alex.  Canldwcll.  This  cumpany 
lail(jd,  and  tlic  [ii'opcrty  was  sold  to  the  Messrs.  Carsun,  vvhu  soon  rc- 
turmKl  i1  \i>  .VIr.  Iiainsdell.  'I'hc  hoih'r'shop  was  hnnicd  in  11S71,  and 
also  the  hiiildin*;'  adjoiniiiij;' <>n  llic  noi-tli,  whif;li  had  hccn  h'ascd  to  Mr. 
J.  Sevci'ancr  lur  the  nianid'acl urc  of  papci-niakin<i,'  niachincry.  The 
Touiidry  and  niadiini'  shdp  wcic  h-ascd  \(<  W'ni.  Wrif^lit  &Cn.,  in  liSTO. 

A  sniallcr  Init  inure  pecnniarily  siu'ccjssf'ul  loiindry  Ihan  any  nf  its 
cont(Miiporari(!S,  was  established  by  (Mark  &  Kimball,  un  Washiiif^lon 
street,  in  1851.  the  lii'm  l)ein<i,'  e(im])osed  of  K,  II.  Clark  and  Saml.  ('>. 
Kiirdjall  of  the  original  llig'hlaiid  I''nrnace.  Mr.  Clark  withdrew  in 
1874,  lea\in;j,'  his  associate  sole  prupiietm-.  The  Spiei-  &  Wilson 
I'onndry  has  been  in  e.xisteiice  I'nr  many  yeai-s  on  VN'estern  Avenue. 
Its  business  has  been  conliiie(l  to  stove  and  othci'  liuiit  casling'8. 

Brush  making'  was  lirsl  conducted  by  l)ani(d  Herrian,  but  the  date 
is  not  of  recoid.  Richard  P.  Phillips  (1881)  was  the  next;  he  manu- 
factured "  brusiies  of  evei'y  d(;scri])tion  "  and  had  them  for  sale;  his 
establishment  was  calked  the  "  Newl)Mrg"h  Brush  Manufactory." — 
Donald  M(;lnto8h  entered  into  the  busin(;s8  in  Cold(;n  stretjt  in  1842, 
and  n!main<id  a  few  years.  S.  If.  Tift  came  from  Waterford  in  184<), 
and  ill  184U  took  William  McCord  (who  had  learned  the  ti'ade  with 
Mcintosh)  in  partnershiji  with  him.  dames  and  Win.  McCord  were 
the  successors  of  this  liini  in  1852,  and  after  <-ont inning;  thirteen  years 
in  Front  stn^cd,  built  their  |ucsent  factoi'y  on   Lander  street. 

The  business  of  manufacturing  fancy  and  family  soaps  was  iiiti'o- 
duced  in  1852,  by  Henry  B.  Am«'s.  who  occupied  a  small  basement  in 
in  Fnjnt  stre(!t  and  made  half  a  million  pounds  annually.  In  185::), 
Mr.  Jesse  Oakley  became  associated  with  him,  and  the  conccin  was 
removed  to  Ann  stivet.  It  was  soon  found  necessary  to  use  more 
room,  and  the  linn  piiiciiased  a  site  on  Wasliinglon  street  and  erected 
on  it  what  now  constitutes  a  part  of  the  main  iuiilding,  Mr.  Oakley 
became  sole  pi(»prietor  in  1855;  but  more  recently  has  had  for  his 
associates  .lohn  .\.  and  E.  B.  Oakley. 

While  so  much  that  ndates  to  mechanit-al  industries  has  iieeii  juv- 
served,  the  names  of  the  (;ar|)enters  and  masons  who  built  the  houses, 
and  stores,  ami  churches  of  the  ancient  town,  have  vei'v  imperfect 
record.  Mt-lchior  (iiilch  was  the  first  carpenter  in  ITO'.t;  Arthur  Mc- 
1\  inney  was  in  that  avocation  in  1745,  and  Zenas  (Jong'cr  and  .lohn 
AbraniK  in  1784.  The  more  modei'u  carpenters  wt're  .lohn  Forsyth, 
Oscar  ^larsh,  William  .Marsh,  and  Thomas  Shaw,  pi-ioi-  to  1824.  Syl- 
vauus  iioud,  Aaron  iJezendorf,  William  Hilton,  and  Andrew  Little, 
represent  later  periods.     Henry  Veltman  and  Nathl.  Gerard  were  the 


272 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGll. 


rniistins  oC  1S24.  Tlic  latter  liad  succession  in  iiis  son,  Franklin  (ie- 
rard,  who  was  associated  with  Samuel  Halsey  in  ISof),  and  renuiiued 
in  tlie  trade  luitil  1815.  John  [kittle  inid  John  Hilton  date  from  about 
1S40.  The  business  of  which  Thomas  Shaw  was  the  founder  in  1S24, 
and  which  has  been  conducted  in  association  with  his  sons,  (}eort;-e 
W.  and  dharles  B.  Shnw,  since  1S50,  was  established  in  a  small  shop 
on  Carpenter's  dock.  Subse<iuently  the  red  storehouse  was  taken, 
and  their  shop  was  removed  with  that  building  to  South-Water  street, 
north  of  the  iron-works.  The  property  was  burned  in  the  fii-e  of  De- 
cember, ISlif),  followin.t;-  which  the  structure  now  occu[)i(Hl  by  the  linn 
was  erected.  The  niiinufacture  of  sash,  doors,  moldint;-s,  church  fur- 
niture, et('.,  and  idso  ship-joinery,  have  been  added  to  the  ori_i;'inal 
business  and  successfully  prosecuted. 

The  followin<;'  table,  compiled  IVom  reliable  local  record,  represents 
the  nundx'i-  ol'  mechiinical  establishments  in  1822  and  in  1875.  The 
product  oi'  llie  former  year  cainiot  lie  ascertained;  it  is  presumed  IJiat, 
as  work  was  llicn  performed  by  hand,  $500, 000  wouhl  amply  cover 
the  amount.     The  products  g-iven  as  for  1815,  are  from  j^revions  olli- 


cial  reports  and 

do  1 

ot  rep 

1-esent  a 

specihc  year. 

Principal.        No 

1822 

1875 

J'roduct. 

Principals.        No 

.  1822 

1875 

Product. 

BakcrieH, 

■1 

(i 

.t55,054 

Malt  Houses, 

2 

2 

$ 

l$arl)oi-!s. 

3 

8 

Masons, 

4 

8 

Blacksiiiitlis, 

5 

11 

Marble  Workers, 

— 

3 

IJlcat'liciii's, 



1 

Milliners, 

G 

11 

BookBiiulerH, 

1 

2 

2,800 

Moldiiifi  and  Planing', — 

3 

Brass  W(irks, 



1 

Morocco  Factories, 

2 

1 

3(),000 

Bnwi'iics, 

:i 

4 

3i)5,006 

Oilcloths, 

— 

2 

(iG.OOO 

Brick  Kilns, 

1 



Painli^rs, 

2 

8 

IJi'Usli  Makers, 

— 

1 

28,666 

Paint  Factory, 

— 

1 

(1a.l)inct  Makers, 

3 

5 

9,000 

Paper  Han^iuirs, 

2 

3 

(Carpet  Woavurs, 

1 

4 

Plaster  Mills, 

— 

1 

8,266 

(Jarpciitcrs, 

10 

13 

] 'otters. 

1 

— 

Carvers, 



2 

Piano  JIakers. 

— 

1 

10,666 

(lenient,  Pipe, 

— 

1 

15,9g6 

Printing'  I'lstah., 

2 

5 

15,000 

Cliaii'  Makci's, 

2 

1 

Beed  Maki^i's, 

1 

— 

('(Piicli  Mak(^rK, 

3 

4 

13,()6o 

Hoofers,  Klatc^,  etc., 

— 

3 

Coffee  and  Spice, 



1 

Saddle  and  Harness, 

3 

M 

27,200 

C<infecti()n(;rv, 



9 

Siiil  Makers, 

— 

1 

Comb-plate  Makers, 

1 

1 

'2,700 

Sash  and  Doors, 

— 

C 

14,000 

Coopers, 

(J 

3 

5,155 

Saw  Mills, 

1 

1 

133,900 

(Cotton  Mills, 



1 

338,255 

Shoe  Makers, 

15 

22 

28,083 

Dentists, 



10 

Soap  and  Candles, 

2 

3 

245,2(!7 

Gas  ManutiK^turcrs, 

— 

1 

15,946 

Siivei- Smiths, 

1 

1 

Gas  Fitters, 

— 

2 

Steam  J'.oilersMfs., 

— 

1 

47,606 

Glove  Makers, 

2 



Sti^ain  En};ines  Mfs. 



7 

1,500,000 

Gi'ist  Mills, 

4 

1 

3,500 

Stone  Cutters, 

2 

1 

18,000 

(inn-powder, 

1 

1 

45,000 

Tailors, 

5 

17 

17,87G 

GniisniithH, 

1 

2 

Tanneries, 

1 

4 

74,520 

Hatters  {all  classes) 

,   3 

10 

Tin  Sinitlis, 

3 

9 

34,775 

Iron  Foundries, 

1 

4 

8,400 

Tobacconists, 

2 

11 

28,250 

Iron  Feuct's, 



1 

Undirella  Makers, 



1 

Kindlinf^  Wood, 



2 

2,700 

Undertakt^rs, 

1 

5 

Lawn  MowerB, 



1 

Upholsters, 



4 

23,796 

Lime  Kilns, 

" 

1 

17,250 

\Voolen  MiUs, 

4 
117 

2 

281 

75,000 

$3,369,175 

THE  PROVINCIAL  MILITIA.  2TA 


CHAPTEK  XI. 

THE    MILITIA    PRIOR    TO    AND    DURINO    THE    REVOLUTION SPECIAL    ORGANIZA- 
TIONS   AND    CONTINENTAL    REGIMENTS THE    MILITIA    SINCE    THE 

REVOLUTION REBELLION    RECORD. 


THE  first  military  orj^anizatioii  in  tlio  district  of  which  the  city 
and  the  town  of  Newhurf^li,  as  well  as  the  town  of  New  Wind- 
sor, now  form  a  i)art,  was  made  prior  to  1738,  and  was  known  as  "the 
foot  company  of  military  of  the  precinct  of  the  Highlands."  It  was 
one  of  the  companies  of  the  Ulster  regiment,  of  which  A.  (laasbeck 
Chambers  was  colonel,  Wessel  Ten  Broeck  lieutenant-colonel,  Coen- 
radt  Elmendorf  major,  and  Cornelius  Elmendorf,  quartermaster,*  and 
was  comjiosed,  in  1788,  of  the  following  officers  and  privates,  viz: 

f!>ipt.  ThfiH.  I'^lIiHon,      .Tercmiali  FoHter,  David  Oliver,  Jerry  MaiiHf, 

Knsittn  .loliii  Yoiin^',     (llinrlcH  Beaty,  Artliur  Beaty,  TliomaK  .Johnston, 

Serf,'.  David  Da viils,     Athos  Foster,  Matthcvv  Davis,  CaspariH  StyiiiaK, 

Scrff.  MoHCs  (laritHon,  Alexaiidcsr  Foster,  .Toiin  Nief)ll,  .Jr.,  .Jolin  Moii},'"er, 

Serg.  J*.  Mc,(;iof,'liery,  . fame ^s  Young,  Alexander  McKcy,  .James  Jjickey, 

Corj).  .TacohuH  Bruyii,  .TamcH  Nealy,  Roliert  Sparks,  Thomas  Williams, 

(Jorii..Fas.  Striiigliam,  Jlohert  ]''eei',  .Jeiiriali  Quiek,  .Joliaiinis  (ieorife, 

Corji.  ,Jona.  Jlazzard,  .foseph  I5iitt(^rton,  Thomas  Quick,  .fereiniah  Toni])kins, 

Clerk,  (!liiiH.  (!liiilon,    Samuel  r.ncki^y,  .laeob  (rillis,  Isaac  Tompkins, 

.Jolm  Unif)lin\v,  .loliii  IMarkliatn,  .Joseph  Sinison,  William  Watts, 

Alexander  Falls,  .John  U(^ad,  .James  Clark,  Josiah  I'lsworth, 

David  Bedford,  .Joseph  McMikliill,  John  (;iark,  James  Flsworth, 

William  (lolcinan,  David  TIniphrey,  Lt)dewick  Miller,  AiithfH)y  I'reslaer, 

Jos(^pli  S\ve(!zer,  JattK^s  (ramble,  Peter  Miller,  .Jonathan  Tomkins, 

Thomas  ColtMiiaii,         John  Candjle,  George  Weygant,  Robert  JJanker, 

John  McVey,  Cornc^lliis  M(!Clean,  William  Wa'rd,  Thomas  Ji'c^ar, 

John  .Jones,  John  Umi)hrey,  Jr.,  William  Ward,  Jr.,  Frederick  l^ainter, 

Patrick  Tiroderick,        James  IJm])hrey,  John  Mattys  Kimherg, Moses  Elsworth, 

Josei)li  Shaw,  I'eter  Mulinder,  Willian}  Smith,  Jnr,  John  Marie, 

C'al<4)  (lurtis,  Robert  Burnt^t,  James  Edmest-on,  .Jonathan  Owens, 

William  Sutton,  Archibald  Beaty,  Tobias-  Weygant,  Andrew  McDowell. 

Daniel  (Joleman.  "  Total,  8(1. 

The  regiment  was  divided  in  1756,  into  two  regiments,  the  first  (or 
northern)  embracing  Kingston,  etc.,  and  the  second  (or  southern)  em- 
bracing Newburgli,  New  Windsor,  etc.  In  September,  1773,  the 
southern  regiment  was  under  the  following  officers,  viz:  Thomas 
EUiscm,  colonel ;  Cliarles  Clinton,  lieutenant-colonel ;  Cadwallader 
Golden,  Jr.,  major,  and  Johannes  Jansen,  adjutant.  The  first  com- 
pany in  the  regiment  was  located  in  Newburgh  and  was  composed  as 
follows,  viz:  Jonathan  Hasbrouck,  captain;  Samuel  Sands,  1st  lieu- 

*  The  regiment  was  composed  (1738)  of  nine  companies  which  were  located  as  follows: 
Kingston,  .3 ;  Marbletown,  1  ;  Wallkill,  1;  Hurley,  1 ;  Rochester,  1 ;  New  Paltz,  1,  and  the 
l)recinct  of  the  Highlands,  l.—JJov.  JIM.  N.  Y.,  iv.,  226,  etc.     Ante  p.  218. 

oi8 


274  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

tenant;  Wolvert  Acker,  2cl  lieutenant;  Comelius  Hasbrouck,  ensip^n; 
four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  one  drummer,  and  one  hundred  and 
forty-one  privates.* 

On  the  22d  of  August,  1775,  the  provincial  congress  of  New  York 
passed  a  law  imder  which  the  militia  of  the  Revolution  was  organized. 
Tliis  law  provided  that  counties,  cities  and  precincts  should  be  divided, 
by  their  respective  local  committees,  so  that  in  each  district  a  com- 
pany should  be  formed  "  ordinarily  to  consist  of  about  eighty-three 
able-bodied  and  effective  men,  officers  included,  between  sixteen  and 
fifty  years  of  age;"  the  officers  to  consist  of  one  captain,  two  heuten- 
ants,  one  ensign,  four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  one  clerk,  one  drum- 
mer and  one  fifer.  The  several  companies  so  formed  were  directed 
to  be  "joined  into  regiments,  each  regiment  to  consist  of  not  less  than 
five  nor  more  than  ten  companies,"  which  should  be  commanded  by 
"  one  colonel,  one  lieutenant-colonel,  two  majors,  an  adjutant  and  a 
quartermaster."  The  regiments  Avere  to  be  classed  in  six  brigades, 
under  "  a  brigadier-general  and  a  major  of  brigade,"  and  the  entire 
force  was  to  be  under  the  command  of  one  major-general. f 

When  the  organization  was  perfected,  the  counties  of  Ulster  and 
Orange  formed  the  foui'th  brigade,  under  brigadier-general  George 
Clinton.  I  This  brigade  was  composed  of  five  regiments  in  Orange 
county  commanded  respectively  by  WiUiam  AUison  of  Goshen,  Jesse 
Woodhull  of  Cornwall,  John  Hathorn  of  Warwick,  A.  Hawkes  Hay  of 
Orangetown,  and  Abm.  Lent  of  Haverstraw;  and  of  foui*  regiments 
in  Ulster  county,  commanded  respectivel}'  by  Johannes  Hardenbergh 
of  Kuigston,  James  Clinton  of  New  Windsor,  Levi  Pauling  of  Mar- 
bletown,  and  Jonathan  Hasbrouck  of  Newburgh.  The  officers  in  the 
latter  regiment  were:  Johannes  Hardenbergh,  Jr.,  heutenant-colonel ; 
Johannes  Jansen,  Jr.,  and  Lewis  DuBois,  majors;  Abraham  Schoon- 
maker,  adjutant,  and  Isaac  Belknap,  quartermaster.  §  In  March,  1776, 
the  regiment  was  composed  of  eleven  companies,  |j  tlu-ee  of  which 
were  located  in  Newbiu'gh  and  were  commanded  respectively  by 
Samuel  Clark,  Jacob  Conkling,  and  Ai'thur  Smith.  The  following 
are  the  retvirns  of  these  companies  for  the  years  named: 


*  The  names  of  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates  are  not  embraced  in  tlie  report. 

t  Proc.  Prov.  Conv.,  lOi,  114,  etc. 

t  This  brigade  slionld  not  be  confused  with  the  special  brigade  which  was  organized 
under  Genl.  CUnton  in  Aug.  177(i,  whicli  \ras  composed  of  "  all  levies  raised  and  to  be  rais- 
ed in  the  counties  of  Westchester,  Duchess,  Orange  and  Ulster  "  (Proc.  Prov.  Conv.,  563), 
nor  with  the  connnission  issued  to  him  by  the  continental  congress  in  March,  1777. 

§  Ante  p.  86,  87.    Through  a  clerical  error  Belknap  was  not  commissioned. 

II  ''  Newbukgh,  March  20th,  1776.  A  true  state  of  the  regiment  of  Mihtia  in  the  County 
of  Ulster,  whereof  Jonathan  Hasbrouck  is  colonel,  consisting  of  eleven  companies.  My 
whole  regnuent  consists  of  six  hundred  and  eight  men,  officers  included;  likewise  four  hun- 
dred and  tifty  firelocks;  two  hundred  and  ninety-three  swords;  one  hundred  and  eightv-eight 
cartridge  boxes;  thirty-two  pounds  of  pow-der,  one  hundred  and  twentv  pounds  of  lead.— 
A  true  state  of  my  regiment  after  every  fourth  man  was  selected  as  a  minute  man." 


THE  PROVINCIAL   MILITIA. 


275 


A  LIST  OF  CAPT.  SAMXJEL  CLARK'S  COMPANY* 


of  Officers  and  Soldiers  in  Col.  Hasbronck's 


Samuel  Clark,  captain. 
James  Denton,  1st  lieut. 
Martin  Wygant,  2d  lieut. 
Munson  Ward,  ensign. 
William  Albertson,  sergt. 
Isaac  Brown,  sergt. 
Ehenezer  Gidncy,  sergt. 
Hope  Mills,  sergt. 
Hugh  Stevenson,  corporal. 
Isaac  Demott,  corporal. 
John  Sinison,  corpoi-al. 
William  Palmer,  corjjorai. 
Joseph  Brown,  lifer. 
Sol.  Buckingham,  drummer. 
John  Stillwell, 
Elijah  Townsend, 
Stephen  Albertson, 
— Daniel  Gillis, 
Daniel  Holly, 


.Tames  Demott, 
Nathaniel  Denton, 
John  Beckett, 
Silas  Leonard, 
Henry  Smith, 
Benjamin  Smith, 
Benjamin  Birdsall, 
Hurmanus  Rikeman, 
Solomon  Lane, 
Thomas  Patterson , 
Richard  Ward, 
William  Ferguson, 
William  Carskaden, 
Isaac  Hasbrouck, 
James  Harris, 
William  Bloomer, 
John  Schofield, 
Benjamin  Kamp, 
Hugh  Ferguson, 


Regiment,  June  8th,  1778  ; 
William  Lewis, 
Richard  Albertson, 
William  Foster, 
Jeremiah  Ward. 
George  Jackson, 
Joseph  Gidney,  Jr., 
John  Wiggins, 
George  Lane, 
Samuel  Fowler, 
Daniel  Gidney, 
Joseph  Coleman, 
Gili)ert  Edwards, 
Samuel  Gardner, 
Jacob  Wiggins, 
Richard  Drake, 
Jesse  Smith. 
Albertson  Smith, 
John  Becket. 


A  list  of  the  Exempts  of 
•lonatlian  Hasbroucic,  col. 
Moses  Higby,  doctor, 
^'Samuel  Fowler, 
John  Staples, 
Wilham  Lupton, 
Nehemiah  Denton, 
Thomas  Ireland, 
Samuel  Denton, 
James  Harris, 
WilHam  Bowdish, 
Isaac  Brown,  doctor, 
Thomas  Palmer, 
Benjamin  Coffin, 
William  CoUard, 
Joseph  Gedney, 
Nathaniel  Coleman, 
Burger  Wigant, 
Samuel  Bond, 
Thomas  Denton,  captain. 
Robert  Carscadden, 
Simon  Crozier, 
Joseph  Gidney, 
Hugh  MacLean, 


Capt.  Samuel  Clark's  company, 
Jeremiah  Howell, 
Samuel  Clark, 
Abel  Belknap, 
Cornelius  W^ood, 
.Jacob  Miars, 
Thomas  Smith, 
Cornelius  Hasbrouck, 
Isaac  Belknaj), 
Thaddeus  Smith, 
Wilham  Wilson, 
Joseph  Albertson, 
Peter  Donley, 
Daniel  Aldredge, 
Samuel  Sands, 
Thomas  Rhodes, 
Leonard  Smith, 
Mr.  Trumpoor, 
William  Lawrence, 
Thomas  Brinkley, 
John  T.  Staples, 
.lohn  Stilwilliam, 
Elias  Burger, 
William  Ward. 


April  30,  1778  and  1779: 

Duncan  Duffie, 
Daniel  Denton, 
James  Denton,  lieut. 
Martin  Wygant, 
Monson  Ward,  ensign. 
Samuel  Weed, 
Adolph  DeGrove, 
Aaron  Linn, 

John  Nathan  Hutchins, 
Isaac  Belknap,  Jr., 
.James  Burns, 
David  Cutch, 
William  Sobe, 
John  Holdrum, 
James  McMasters, 
Jacob  Reeder, 
WilUam  Thurston, 
Thomas  Ireland,  Jr. 
.Teremiah  Wool, 
Thomas  Harris, 
Robert  Morrison,  doctor. 
Benjamin  Harris, 


A  LIST  OF  CAPT.  JACOB  CONKLIN'S  COMPANY 


of  MiUtia  of  Col.  Hasbrouck's  Regiment,  Newburgh,  Ulster  county.  May  4th,  1778 
Jacob  Conklin,  capt.  Samuel  Tarepening,  James  Penny, 

Cornells  Terwilliger,  —-•■       — 

Hazael  Smith, 
Daniel  Burnells, 
Barent  Cole, 
■Joshua  Camwell, 
.Jonas  Totten,  corporal. 
.James  Totten, 
James  Mills, 
WUliam  Erwiu,  Jr., 
William  Cope,  Jr., 
Stephen  Jones, 
Isaac  Barton,  .Jr., 
Nathaniel  Guiou,  corporal 
Robert  Aldrich. 

A  list  of  Exempts  of  Capt  Jacob  Conklin's  Company,  April  23,  1779: 
Jacob  Conklin,  capt.  James  Denton,  Lewis  Slut, 

"      '   "  '      '  Ebenezer  Raimond,  Johannes  Snyder, 


Jacob  Lawrence,  Ist  lieut. 
David  Guion,  2d  lieut. 
John  Crowell,  ensign. 
Robt.  Erwin,  sergt. 
Robt.  Ross,  sergt. 
John  Lawrence,  sergt. 
Abm.  Strickland,  sergt. 
Abm.  Smith,  drummer. 
Jacob  Strickland  corporal. 
Ebenezer  Strickland, 
Jonathan  Brundige, 
John  Killpatrick, 
Peter  Aldrich, 


Jacob  Lawrence,  lieut. 


William  Penny, 
John  Dolson, 
.Joseph  Simmons, 
Tunis  Kiesler, 
Jacob  Tremper, 
John  Tremper, 
John  Thomas, 
Johannes  Snyder, 
Stephen  Stevens,  corporal. 
William  McBride, 
Gerrit  Van  Benschoten, 
Peter  Tarepening, 
Hermanns  Terwilliger, 
Abm.  Cole,  Jr. 


*  These  returns  are  not  of  official  record.  The  original  rolls  from  which  they  are  taken 
were  accidentally  discovered  in  a  quantity  of  old  paper  sent  to  market  in  1864.  Of  their 
genuiness  there  is  not  the  shghtest  doubt. 


276 

David  Guion,  licnt. 
John  Ci-owell,  ensign. 
CorneliuM  rolhanuis, 
David  Horton, 
Isaac  Bai'ton,  Senr., 
Peter  Aldredge, 
Henry  W.  Kipp, 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


Michael  Redmon, 
Josliua  Briisli, 
Caleb  Lock  wood, 
William  Erwin, 
James  Quigley, 
Isaac  Benscouten, 
Ebenezer  Strickland, 
Joel  Campbell. 


William  Wear, 
Jacob  Halstead, 
Tunis  Keysler, 

Brush, 

Israel  Brush, 
Nicholas  Stephens, 
William  Roach, 


A  LIST  OF  CAPT.  ARTHUR  SMITH'S  COMPANY 
Militia  of  Col.  Hasbrouck's  Regiment,  Newburgh,  April  24, 1779: 


Arthur  Smith,  capt. 
Isaac  Fowler,  1st  lieut. 
John  Foster,  '2d  lieut. 
William  Conkliug, 
John  Kniffin, 
James  Clark, 
Reuben  Holmes,  sergts. 
William  Smith, 
William  Michael, 
Samuel  Griggs,  corporals. 
Jonathan  Cosman. 
Joseph  Hallett. 
William  Place, 


A  list  of  the  Exem])ts  of 

Ai'thur  Smith,  capt. 
Isaac  Fowler,  lieut. 
John  Foster,  lieut. 
Wolvert  Acker,  ensign. 
Nehemiah  FoAvler, 
Charles  Tooker, 
Joseph  Calffenter, 
Henry  Cropsey, 
Thomas  Orr, 
Hans  Cosman, 


Daniel  Fowler, 
Charles  Kniffen, 
Tunis  Dalson, 
George  Merritt, 
Dunkin  Campbell, 
John  Owen, 
Thomas  Campbell, 
Burroughs  Holms, 
Solomon  Comes, 
James  Warring, 
William  Ward. 
John  Fowler, 
Jonas  Southcrd, 
John  Allen. 

Capt.  Arthur  Smilirs  Company, 

John  Stratton, 
John  Grigffs. 
Jonathan  Owens, 
Richard  Osburn, 
Daniel  Kniffen, 
Isaac  Fowler,  Sonr., 
Daniel  Purdy, 
Daniel  Rugards, 
Daniel  Thurston, 
Jehiel  Clark, 
William  Michael. 


Jacob  Wiggins, 
Stephen  Ireland, 
Gilbert  Aldridgc, 
Francis  Smith, 
Heiu-y  Cropsey, 
John  Kuifien, 
Jacob  Gillis, 
Sanuiel  Fowler, 
John  Davis, 
Reuben  Tooker. 
John  Randle, 
Nicholas  Watts, 
James  Clark. 


April  •23d,  1779: 
Thomas  Bosworth, 
Thonuis  Ward, 
Elijah  Ward, 
Samuel  Stratton, 
George  Merritt, 
Jeremiah  Howell, 
John  Fowler, 
David  Smith, 
Gilbert  Barton, 
Thomas  Burling. 


The  duties  siDecially  assigned  to  the  active  members  of  the  miHtia 
were,  "  in  case  of  any  alarm,  invasion  or  insurrection,"  to  immediately 
rejDair,  "jDroperly  armed  and  accoutred,"  to  the  habitations  of  the 
captains  of  the  companies  to  which  they  belonged,  or  to  a  duly  ap- 
l^ointed  rendezvous.  Captains  were  requu'ed  to  march  their  compa- 
nies, when  thus  assembled,  "  to  oppose  the  enemy,  and  at  the  same 
time  send  oft'  an  express  to  the  commanding  ofticer  of  the  regiment 
or  brigade,"  who  was  in  turn  required  "  to  march  -with  the  whole  or 
part  of  his  command,"  as  he  should  judge  necessaiy.  The  services 
of  the  mihtia,  and  the  duties  which  devolved  upon  exempts,  have 
already  been  detailed.* 

SPECIAL    ORGANIZATIONS    AND    CONTINENTAL    REGIMENTS. 

The  first  of  the  special  militia  organizations  of  the  Revolution  was 
tliat  known  as  minute  men,  which  was  formally  recommended  by  the 
continental  congress  to  the  several  provinces  for  adoption,  in  May, 
1775.  Under  the  mihtia  bill  of  August  22d,  the  provincial  conven- 
tion of  New  York  accepted  the  plan,  and  provided  "that  after  the 
whole  mihtia "  was  formed,  in  the  manner  ah-eady  detailed,  "  every 

*  Ante  p.  87,  88, 141, 142,  etc. 


SPECIAL   MILITIA    ORGANIZATIONS.  277 


fourth  man  of  each  company  "  should  "  be  selected  for  minute  men  " 
of  such  i)ersons  as  were  willing-  to  enter  into  that  "necessary  service." 
The  persons  thus  selected  were  to  be  organized  in  companies  and  elect 
officers,  except  in  cases  where  an  entire  company  of  any  regiment 
should  offer  its  services,  when  it  was  to  be  commanded  by  the  officers 
already  chosen.  The  comjoanies  were  to  be  organized  in  ref^iments 
mider  officers  con-esponding  with  those  of  the  regular  militia,  and 
the  manner  in  which  they  were  c;alled  out  was  similar;  but  they 
were  required  to  meet  in  subdivisions  for  military  drill  at  least  four 
hours  in  each  week,  and  in  companies  for  the  same  purpose  at  least 
four  hours  every  fortnight,  and  when  in  service  were  subject  to  the 
orders  of  officers  of  the  continental  army,  and  entitled  to  the  "  same 
allowance,  as  to  pay  and  provisions,  with  the  continental  forces." 
The  plan,  however,  was  not  satisfactory  in  its  operation,  and  it  was 
abolished  in  June,  177().*  In  the  meantime  the  provisions  of  the  law 
were  generally  complied  with.  In  the  southern  district  of  Ulster, 
three  companies  were  raised,  one  in  Newbiu-gh,  one  in  New  Windsor 
and  one  in  New  Marlborough,  the  former  under  command  of  Uriah 
Drake,  captain;  Jacob  Lawrence,  1st  lieutenant;  WiUiam  Erwin,  2d 
lieutenant;  and  Thos.  Dunn,  ensign.  From  these  and  other  companies  / 
a  regiment  was  organized  of  which  Thomas  Palmer  of  Newburgh  was  V 
colonel,  and  was  on  duty  in  the  Highlands  in  the  winter  of  1775-'G.t 

The  second  special  organization  of  the  militia  included  the  several 
drafts  made  to  reenforce  the  araiy  at  different  times.  The  first  draft 
occurred  in  June,  1776,  when  four  battalions  were  organized  for  ser- 
vice in  the  vicinity  of  New  York  city,  to  which  Orange  county  sent 
three  companies  and  Ulster  four,  as  part  of  Genl.  John  Morin  Scott's 
brigade.  The  second  draft  was  made  in  Jtly,  1770,  and  embraced 
one-fourth  of  the  militia  under  command  of  colonels  Isaac  NicoU  and 
Levi  Pauling,  the  whole  constituting  a  brigade  under  Genl.  George 
Clinton.  The  third  draft  was  in  September,  1776,  for  six  hundred 
men  to  reenforce  the  garrison  at  forts  Clinton  and  Montgomeiy,  of 
wliich  number  sixty-two  were  drawn  from  Col.  Hasbrouck's  regiment, 
and  the  whole  placed  under  command  of  Johaunes  Snyder.  Details 
in  regard  to  the  officers  and  privates  in  these  and  subsequent  drafts 
are  not  of  record,  but  it  is  known  that  under  them  the  militia  were 
in  vari^ing  numbers  almost  constantly  employed. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  1776,  companies  of  rangers  were  authorized 
for  tlie  protection  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  northern  and  western 
frontiers  of  the  province.  These  companies  were  to  hold  themselves 
in  constant  readiness  for  service,  with  a  view  especially  to  prevent  the 
incursions  of  Indians  and  Tories;  but  were  to  be  confined,  entii'ely  to 
*  Journal  Prov.  Conv.,  114, 479,  etc.    Ante  p.  87.  t  I'loc.  Piov.  Conv.,  381, 


\ 


278  HISTORY   OF   NEWBVRGH. 

the  counties  in  which  they  were  raised,  unless  by  mutual  consent  of  the 
committees  of  adjoininfy  counties,  or  unless  otherwise  directed  by  the 
convention.  Three  companies  were  organized  in  Ulster  county  under 
captains  Isaac  Belknap,  Jacob  R.  DeWitt,  and  Elias  Hasbrouck.  Capt. 
Belknap's  company  was  composed  (Oct.  7,  1776,)  as  follows: 

Isaac  Belknap,  captain,  John  McNeal,  James  Humphrey, 

Henry  Sclioonniaker,  1st  It.,     Abraham  Gari-ison,  James  Carscaden, 

Petnis  Roosa,  'id  lieut.,  Kobert  Harris,  Philip  Aing, 

David  Clark,  corporal,  John  Caverly,  Petrns  Roosa, 

Samuel  Falls,  Jonathan  CMiatticld,  Ed.  McClannon, 

Thomas  Jackson,  Stephauus  Ecker,  Elislia  Willard, 

Corns.  Vanderburgh,  Matthew  Robinson,  Robert  Gillespy. 

Marcus  Wackman,  Jas.  Dadey,  John  Mallot, 

Christian  Dupont,  Wilhemus  Roosa,  Thos  Patterson, 

Isaac  Utter,  '  George  Hack,  John  Willard, 

Aaron  Roosa,  Darius  Worden,  Jolui  Christie, 

John  Hisson,  Saml.  Chard,  Joshua  Griften. 

The  iirst  active  service  of  the  company  was  under  the  dii'ection  of 
the  committee  of  safety  at  Fishkill.  In  February,  1777,  it  was  attach- 
ed to  Governor  Clinton's  brigade,  and  was  thereafter  kept  busy  in  the 
Highlands.*     The  organization  was  abandoned,  March,  1777. 

The  first  New  York  or  "  continental  "  regiments  as  they  were  caUed, 
were  constituted  in  1775  for  the  term  of  six  months.  These  regi- 
ments were  four  in  number  and  were  commanded  respectively  by  Alex. 
McDougaU,  Goose  Van  Schaick,  Jas.  CHnton,  and  Jas.  Holmes.  Col. 
Clinton's  regiment  (the  third)  was  largely  composed  of  Orange  and 
Ulster  county  men,f  and,  with  its  contemporaries,  was  in  service  in  the 
expedition  against  Canada  in  the  faU  and  winter  of  1775.  On  the  8tli 
of  January,  1776,  the  continental  congress  issued  its  first  formal  call 
for  troops  for  the  piu-pose  of  reenforcing-  the  army  in  Canada.  Under 
this  call  New  York  fiu'nished  one  battahon  of  which  Col.  Van  Schaick 
was  continued  in  command.  J  On  the  19th  of  January,  of  the  same 
year,  the  second  caU  was  issued,  under  which  New  York  was  requii-ed 
to  fvu-nish  four  battalions  "to  garrison  the  several  forts  of  the  colony 
from  Crown  Point  to  the  southward,  and  to  prevent  depredations 
upon  Long  Island,  and  promote  the  safety  of  the  whole."  These  bat- 
tahons  Avere  assigned  to  the  command  of  Alex.  McDougaU,  James 
CUnton,  Rudolphus  Ritzema,  and  Philip  Van  Cortlandt.  The  quota 
of  Orange  county  was  two  companies,  and  that  of  Ulster  three  coni- 

*  Ante  1).  87.  Jour.  Prov.  Conv.  530,  813,  etc.  The  names  of  the  members  of  (Japt.  Bel- 
knap's company  are  from  a  memorandum  book  found  among  his  papers,  and  are  no  doubt 
correct.  The  same  book  contains  a  diary  of  the  services  of  the  company  during  the 
month  of  October,  1776,  from  \vhich  it  appears  that  its  tirst  muster  for  dut'y  \vas  at  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Ann  Dubois,  in  Marlborough,  on  the  7th  of  that  month.  It  marched  from 
thence  to  Fishkill,  and  reported  to  the  convention  on  the  17th,  when  it  was  placed  "under 
the  direction  of  the  committee  for  trying  tories."  It  was  still  at  Fishkill  in  January,  1777. 

t  Orange  county  furnished  two  companies— Capt.  Daniel  Denton's  of  Goshen,  and  Capt. 
llobt.  Johnston's  of  Orangetown.  Ulster  furnished  four  companies— Capt.  John  Nichol- 
son's of  New  Windsor,  Capt.  Lewis  DuBois'  of  Marlborough,  and  Capt.  Elias  Hasbrouck's 
ami  Capt.  Jacobus  Bruyn's  of  Kingston.  Capt.  Nicholson  was  promoted  Lieut.  Colonel 
while  m  (Canada,  and  Capt.  DuBois  was  promoted  Major. 

if  Ulster  county  furnished  one  company— Capt.  William  Martin's  of  Marlborough. 


CONTINENTAL  REGIMENTS.  279 


panies,  which  were  filled  in  April  following-.*  On  the  IGth  of  Septem- 
ber, the  continental  conj^Tess  issued  its  third  call  for  troops,  under 
which  New  York  was  required  to  furnish  four  battahons  "to  serve 
during  the  war."  These  battalions  were  the  first  of  their  class,  and 
were  placed  under  the  command  of  colonels  Goose  Van  Schaick,  Philiji 
Van  Cortlandt,  Peter  Gansevort,  and  Henry  B.  Livingston. "f  In  Jvdy 
previous,  the  continental  congress  authorized  a  commission  to  Major 
Lewis  DuBois,  of  Colonel  Hasbrouck's  regiment  of  militia,  to  raise  a 
battalion  "for  three  years  or  the  war,"  |  but  the  convention  of  New 
York  objected,  and  the  matter  was  held  in  abeyance.  Now,  however, 
the  convention  asked  authority  to  recmit  a  fifth  battalion  of  which 
Major  DuBois  shovdd  have  the  command,  and,  the  request  being  grant- 
ed, the  battalion  was  commissioned.  §  Wliile  more  or  less  mixed  by 
general  recruiting,  this  battalion  was  regarded  as  the  battalion  of  tliis 
district.  It  was  ordered  to  garrison  Fort  Montgomery'  in  March,  and 
was  on  duty  there  in  the  action  of  October,  1777,  when  it  sustained  a 
heavy  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners.     Its  field-officers  were : 

Lewis  DuBois,  colonel ;  commissioned  Jmie  25,  177G;  rcHigiied  Dec.  29,  1779. 

Jacobus  Bruyn,  lieut.  col.;  commisBioned  June  25,  1776;  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Mont- 
gomery, Oct.  (i",  1777. 

Marinus  WiUett,  lieut.  col.;  c(mamissioned  July  1,  1780. 

Samuel  Logan,  major;  commissioned  June  26, 1776;  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Montgomery; 
exchanged  Dec.  21, 17.S0;  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

Henry  DuBois,  adjutant;  commissioned  Nov.  21,  1776;  promoted  captain  July  1,  1780. 

Nehemiali  Carpenter,  quartermaster  ;  commissioned  Nov.  21,  1776 ;  taken  prisoner  at 
Fort  Montgomery  ;  exchanged  and  promoted  lieutenant. 

Samuel  Townsend,  paymaster;  commissioned  Nov.  21, 1776. 

John  Gano,  chaplain  ;  commissioned  Nov.  21, 1776;  promoted  brigade  cliaplain  ;  served 
to  the  end  of  the  war. 

Samuel  Cook,  surgeon  ;  commissioned  Nov-  21,  1776  ;  served  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

Ebenezer  Hutchinson,  surgeon's  mate  ;  commissioned  June  12,  1778.  || 

The  battalions  authorized  imder  this  call,  and  Col.  Lamb's  artillery, 
were  the  only  three  years'  regiments  raised  in  the  state  during  the 
Revolution,  and  were  kept  in  the  field  by  levies  and  by  recruiting  for 
shorter  periods  to  supply  vacancies  in  their  ranks. 

The  uniform  which  was  worn  by  the  continental  regiments  varied 
with  the  abihty  of  the  authorities  to  jjurchase  the  materials.  The 
regiments  raised  in  1775,  were  clothed  in  the  same  general  style  but 
in  different  colors.     The  first  had  blue  broadcloth  dress  coats  with 


*  Cor.  Prov.  Conv.,  172.  The  companies  wore:  Capt.  Daniel  Denton's  of  Goshen,  Capt. 
Amos  Hutchins'  of  Orangetown,  and  Capt.  William  Koe's  of  Cornwall,  from  Orange  coun- 
ty; and  Capt.  John  Belknap's  of  New  Windsor,  Capt.  William  Jackson's  of  Montgomery, 
and  Capt.  Cornehus  Hardenburgh's  of  Hurley,  from  Ulster  county.  Capt.  Koe's  company 
was  in  excess  of  the  quota.  Hutchins'  and  Denton's  companies  were  in  Ritzema's  regi- 
ment, and  the  other  companies  in  Clinton's  regiment. 

t  The  officers  of  the  previous  regiments  were  retained  as  far  as  possible.  Ulster  connty 
furnished  three  companies  to  Col.  Gansevort's  regiment— Cajjt.  Thomas  DeWitt's,  Capt. 
Cornelius  T.  Jansen's,  and  Capt.  .James  Griggs'  (New  Windsor);  and  one  company,  Capt. 
William  Jackson's  (Montgomery)  to  Col.  Livingston's  regiment.  Orange  county  sent  one 
company  (Capt.  Amos  Hutchins')  to  Col.  DuBois'  regiment. 

X  Proc.  Prov.  Conv.,  510.  §  Proc.  Prov.  Conv.,  712. 

II  A  hst  of  the  ofticers  and  privates  of  the  regiment,  as  it  stood  at  White  Plains,  Julv 
22,  1778,  is  given  in  Sattell's  "  Records  of  the  Revolutionary  War." 


280  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBGH. 


crimson  cuffs  and  facings;  the  second  had  light  broivn  coats  with  hhie 
cuffs  and  facings;  the  third  had  gray  coats  mth  green  ciiffs  and  facings; 
the  fourth  had  dark  brown  coats  with  srarlef  cuffs  and  facings.  Their 
"breeches  (as  they  were  called)  and  waistcoats  were  of  Russia  drilling; 
the  former  were  short  (to  the  knee)  and  the  latter  long  (to  the  hips). 
Their  stockings  were  long  (from  the  knee)  of  "coarse  woolen  home- 
spun"; low  shoes,  linen  cravats,  and  round  low-crowned  broad-brim- 
med felt  hats.*  The  regiments  raised  in  January,  1776,  were  supplied 
with  hunting  frocks  in  lieu  of  coats,  and  in  Jime,  the  Russia  drillings 
gave  place  to  "  brain- dressed  deer's  leather  sufficient  to  make  each 
soldier  one  waistcoat  and  one  paii'  of  breeches."  The  estabhshed 
uniform  of  the  trooi^s,  however,  so  far  as  there  was  one,  was  the  hunt- 
ing frock,  which  came  in  under  the  order  of  the  continental  congress 
in  1776.  These  frocks  have  the  same  description  wherever  spoken  of. 
"  The  uniform  of  the  South  Carolina  rebels,"  says  one  English  writer, 
"  is  a  hunting  shirt  such  as  the  farmers'  servants  in  England  wear  " ;  f 
and  another,  referring  to  the  continental  soldiers  who  were  killed  at 
Fort  Montgomery,  says,  "they  had  on  frocks  such  as  oiu-  farmers' 
servants  wear,"  from  which  fact  it  was  presumed  they  were  militia- 
men, instead  of  members  of  Colonel  DuBois'  regiment  as  they  were. 
The  description  by  the  Hessian  officer,  Briefwechsel,  of  the  army 
under  General  dates  at  Saratoga,  which  was  composed  of  over  nine 
thousand  regnilar  troops,  may  be  accepted  as  applicable  to  the  entire 
army  of  the  Revolution  at  that  time.  The  rank  and  file,  he  writes, 
"  were  not  equipped  in  any  uniform."  A  few  of  the  officers  wore 
regimentals;  and  those  fashioned  to  theii-  own  notions  according  to 
cut  and  color.  Brown  coats  with  sea-green  facings,  white  linings  and 
silver  trimmings,  and  grey  coats  in  abundance,  with  buff  facings  and 
cuHs,  and  gilt  buttons;  in  short  every  variety  of  pattern.  The  briga- 
diers and  generals  wore  miiforms  and  belts  which  designated  their 
rank,  but  most  of  the  colonels  and  other  officers  were  in  theii*  ordi- 
naiy  clothes;  "a  musket  and  bayonet  in  hand,  and  a  cartridge-box  or 
powder-horn  over  the  shoulder."  The  continental  uniform,  now  gene- 
rally accepted  as  such,  was  not  adopted  until  1780,  when,  by  general 
orders  (June  28),  all  officers  were  directed  "  to  wear  their  coats  with 
buff"  facings  and  linings,  yellow  buttons,  white  or  buff  uuder-clothes, 
and  a  black  and  white  feather  in  their  hats." 

The  equipage  of  the  miHtia,  as  well  as  of  the  early  continental 
regiments,  consisted  of  "a  good  musket  or  firelock  and  bayonet, 
sword  or  tomahawk,  a  steel  ramrod,  worm,  priming  wire  and  brush 
fitted  thereto,  a  cartouch  box  to  contain  twenty-three  rounds  of  car- 
tridges, twelve  flints  and  a  knapsack,  one  pound  of  powder  and  tln-ee 

*  Proc.  Prov.  Conv.,  149,  etc.  f  Penna.  Ledger,  Feb.  14,  1778. 


MILITIA   SINCE   THE  REVOLUTION.  281 


pounds  of  bullets."  The  mtiskets  were  of  a  variety  of  patterns;  the 
lono-  gun  of  the  old  French  war,  the  shorter  standard  musket  of  the 
English  army,  and  a  scant  assortment  of  rifles.  The  convention  of 
New  York  endeavored,  in  its  contracts,*  to  secure  iiniformity  by  pro- 
viding that  the  musket  barrel  should  be  "three  feet  and  a  half  in 
length,  and  of  three-fourths  of  an  inch  bore,  well  fortified  at  the 
breech,"  and  that  bayonets  should  be  "  one  foot  and  nine  inches  from 
the  shoulder;"  but  as  there  were  few  gunsmiths  in  the  province  at 
that  time  (1776),  it  was  not  until  after  arms  were  received  from 
France  that  there  was  a  jDcrceptible  regularity  or  a  sufficient  quantit}^ 
to  supi^ly  the  troops.  MeanwhUe  spears,  sjjontoons,  and  tomahawks 
were  called  into  use  and  became  effective  weapons,  f 

THE    MILITIA    SINCE    THE    REVOLUTION. 

Immediately  following  the  war  of  the  Revolution  very  little  atten- 
tion was  given  to  the  militia.  The  enrollment  was  of  course  preserved 
and  embraced  the  name  of  every  able-bodied  male  resident  between 
the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty.  After  the  adoption  of  the  federal 
constitution,  more  attention  was  given  to  the  matter;  and  prior  to  1806, 
five  uniformed  mihtia  companies  were  organized  in  the  regimental  dis- 
trict \  of  which  Newbiu'gh  was  a  part,  viz : 

1.  The  Orange  ffuxsars. — This  company  was  organized  in  1793.  At 
that  time  it  had  its  head-quarters  in  the  town  of  Montgomery,  but 
subsequently  removed  them  to  Coldenham  in  Newburgh.  It  was 
organized  under  the  auspices  of  Joseph  Barbour;  was  for  many  years 
under  the  command  of  William  Wright;  was  on  duty  in  1812,  and 
was  again  called  to  the  field  during  the  anti-rent  troubles  in  1846.  It 
was  detached  fi-om  the  2d  regiment  of  cavalry,  August  30,  1844,  and 
attached  to  the  14th  (19th)  regiment,  and  disbanded  in  1863,  at  which 
time  it  was  under  the  command  of  William  C.  Brewster. 

2.  Gapl.  Acker'n  Company  of  Cavalry. — A  company  of  cavalry  was 
organized  under  the  command  of  William  Acker,  about  the  year  1804, 
and  continued  in  existence  until  1837  or  '38.  It  was  composed  of 
members  residing  in  the  north  paii  of  the  town  and  in  the  adjoining 
towns  of   Ulster;  and  was  in  service  on  Long  Island  in  1812-'13. 


••*'-  Robert  Boyd  establiHbed,  iu  June,  1775,  a  forgo  in  New  Windsor,  just  south  of  Quas- 
saick  creek,  for  the  manufacture  of  muskets  and  bayonets.  The  convention  voted  to  pay 
him  "  three  pounds  fifteen  shilhngs,  New  York  money,  for  each  good  musket  with  steel 
ramrod,  and  bayonet  with  scabbard."  In  February,  1770,  he  was  able  to  write  that  he  had 
"tlie  best  gunsmiths'  shop  in  the  colonies;"  but  nevertheless  its  capacity  was  limited  from 
the  difficulty  in  obtaining  workmen. 

t  The  Provincial  Convention  of  New  York  ordered  (Sept.  4,  1776,)  the  manufacture  of 
four  thousand  lances  or  spontoons  to  arm  the  mihtia  for  whom  no  guns  could  be  obtained. 
Eight  hundred  were  sent  to  Orange  and  the  same  number  to  Ulster  county.  (Proc.  607.) 
Tomahawks  were  a  favorite  implement  and  many  thousands  were  furnished  the  troops.  As 
a  wliole  the  equipage  of  the  army  was  not  iueftective. 

t  Several  changes  have  been  made  in  the  boundaries  of  the  district,  and  the  regiment 
has  been  numbered  the  4th,  the  14th,  and  the  19th. 


282  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

Capt.  Acker  was  succeeded  by  Nathaniel  DuBois,  wlio  served  for  seve- 
ral years.  The  last  captain  of  the  company  was  Robei-t  D.  Mapes  of 
Marlborough.  The  uniform  of  the  company  consisted  of  red  coats 
with  buff  facings,  and  buff"  pantaloons. 

3.  The  Republican  Blues. — This  company  was  jorobably  formed  about 
the  commencement  of  the  present  centiuy.  It  appears  to  have  been 
in  a  very  flourishing  condition  in  1807  (when  it  stood  on  the  roll  of 
the  regiment  as  company  No.  1),  and  to  have  continued  so  until  1814. 
It  was  composed  almost  entu-ely  of  natives  of  Ireland  or  their  descend- 
ants, and  hence  was  familiarly  knowm  as  the  Irish  Blues.  Very  few 
companies  in  the  state  exhibited  a  more  j^atriotic  spirit  than  did  the 
Blues.  In  1807,  dvuing  the  discussions  which  eventuated  in  the 
second  war  with  England,  it  tendered  its  services  to  the  Governor  to 
aid  in  the  pubhc  defence,  and  from  that  time  until  1812,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  Staten  Island,  it  stood  ready  to  take  the  field.  From  the 
time  of  its  organization  mitil  1813,  it  was  under  the  command  of 
Alexander  Denniston.*  Its  officers,  in  1809,  were:  Alex.  Denniston, 
captain;  George  Gordon,  1st  sergeant;  James  Alexander,  2d;  Paul 
Stewart,  3d;  Thomas  Kelso,  4th;  WiUiam  Camack,  1st  corj^oral; 
John  Kernochan,  2d;  James  Coleman,  3d;  Isaiah  Titus,  4th.  From 
1813  to  1815,  it  was  imder.  the  command  of  James  Hamilton.  Its 
unifoi-m  consisted  of  a  blue  di-ess,  and  caps  made  in  the  form  of  a 
Roman  helmet.  The  organization  of  the  company  was  so  broken  up 
dm-ing  the  war,  that  its  disbandment  took  place  Jime  3, 1815,  "  in  con- 
sequence of  not  having  a  comjilement  of  men  agreeable  to  the  statute." 

4.  Capt.  BirdsaU's  Company. — The  date  of  the  organization  of  this 
company  cannot  now  be  ascertained.  In  1809,  it  stood  on  the  roU  of 
the  regiment  as  company  No.  2,  and  was  then  under  the  command  of 
the  foUowing  officers,  viz:  Chas.  Bu'dsaU,  captain;  Abel  Belknap,  1st 
sergeant;  John  Polhamus,  2d;  Jere.  Albertson,  3d;  Briggs  Belknap, 
4th;  George  Marvin,  1st  corporal;  Wm.  P.  Hatch,  2d;  David  Sands, 
3d;  Joseph  Albertson,  4th.  These  officers  served  until  1814,  when 
Robei-t  Gardiner  was  elected  lieutenant,  and  Sylvester  Roe,  ensign. 
The  uniform  of  the  company  was  the  same  as  that  of  the  Republican 
Blues,  with  the  exception  of  the  facings  of  the  coat;  and  like  its  con- 
temporary, it  was  in  service  on  Staten  Island  in  1812.t  The  same 
causes  which  led  to  the  disbandment  of  the  former,  struck  the  latter 
from  the  roll  of  the  regiment,  June  3d,  1815. 


t  In  1812  (Nov.  30),  Capt.  Denniston  proposed  the  organization  of  a  company  of  volun- 
teers, to  serve  for  one  year  or  during  tlie  war,  and  succeeded  in  enlisting  about' fifty  men. 
who  elected  Jonathan  Gidney  captain.  The  company  went  to  New  York,  and  there  formed 
part  of  a  dcitached  regiment  of  riflemen.  Denniston  was  appointed  major  in  this  regi- 
ment, and  the  vacancy  thus  created  in  the  captaincy  of  the  Blues  was  filled  by  James 
Hamilton. 

t  Ante  p.  188. 


MILITIA    SINCE  THE  REVOLUTION.  283 


5.  Capt.  Butterworth's  Artillery  Company. — This  company  was  organ- 
ized November  2d,  1804,  and  had  its  head-quai-ters  at  the  Mcintosh 
house  on  Liberty  street.  It  was  first  under  the  command  of  William 
Ross,  who  served  as  captain  untU  1810  or  '11,  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Henry  Butterworth.  Its  head-quarters  were  then  removed  to 
Balmville,  where  an  artillery  house  was  erected.  In  1812,  while  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Butterworth,  the  company  was  stationed  on 
Staten  Island.  Positive  facts  in  reference  to  its  subsequent  history 
cannot  be  obtained,  but  it  is  said  that  Charles  Clinton  was  its  captain 
in  1819  or  '20;  in  1822,  James  Kelso,  captain;  Robt.  Lockwood,  1st 
lieutenant;  Gilbert  Holmes,  ensign;  1829,  John  B.  Cromwell,  captain; 
and  afterwards  Thornton  M.  Niven.  As  the  artillery  was  embraced 
in  a  separate  regiment  (of  which  T.  D.  Lander  was  colonel),  the 
roster  of  the  19th  contains  very  little  in  reference  to  this  company.* 

In  addition  to  the  uniformed  companies,  there  were  three  companies 
of  militia  which,  in  1812,  were  known  as  follows,  viz:  No.  4,  or  Cajit. 
Daniel  T.  Smith's  Company — Daniel  T.  Smith,  captain ;  Daniel  Tooker, 
1st  sergeant;  Nathl.  Tooker,  2d;  James  Waring,  3d;  Henry  Cosman, 
drummer.  No.  5,  or  Capt.  Seth  Belknap's  Company — Seth  Belknap, 
captain;  Charles  Hmnphrey,  1st  sergeant;  Sovreign  B.  Anderson,  2d; 
James  Crawford,  3d;  Wm.  Belknap,  4th;  Hezekiah  Fairchild,  1st  cor- 
poral; Jas.  Wayland,  2d;  Robert  Gourlay,  3d;  John  Wood,  Jr.,  4th. 
No.  7,  or  Capt.  Falls'  Company — William  H.  Falls,  captain;  Robert 
Lawson,  lieutenant;  James  Belknap,  1st  sergeant;  James  M.  Gardiner, 
2d;  Wm.  W.  Sackett,  3d;  Stephen  BelknajD,  4th;  Gilbert  W.  Cris^ey, 
1st  corporal;  Samuel  G.  Sneden,  2d;  Gardiner  Thompson,  3d;  Daniel 
Gidney,  4th.     These  companies  continued  in  existence  until  1846.  f 

In  1817,  James  Belknap,  John  W.  Brown  and  others  effected  the 
organization  of  a  comj^any  of  infantry  subsequently  known  as  The 
Bell-Button  Company.  Its  first  officers  were:  James  Belknap,^  cap- 
tain; Wihiam  Smith,  lieutenant;  John  W.  Brown,  ensign.  In  1822, 
William  Smith  §  was  captain;  Samuel  G.  Sneden,  lieutenant;  and 
Fred.  W.  Farnam,  ensign.  In  1824,  Charles  Niven,  captain;  Thomas 
Smith,  lieutenant;  and  E.  Ward  Fanington,  ensign.  The  uniform  of 
the  company  consisted  of  a  blue  short  jacket  ornamented  with  beU- 
buttons,  blue  pantaloons,  and  a  cap  with  ornament  and  plume.     It 

'  The  cavalry  were  also  organized  in  a  separate  regiment,  which  will  explain  the  ab- 
sence of  those  companies  from  the  roll  of  this  regiment  and  the  difficulty  of  procuring 
authentic  information. 

t  The  uniformed  companies  failed  to  make  up  the  quota  required  from  the  regiment,  in 
1813,  and  the  militia  were  ordered  out  to  supply  the  deficiency.  Under  this  order,  these 
companies  were  stationed  at  Harlem  Heights  for  three  months. 

t  Mr.  Belknap  was  appointed  Adjutant  in  1812,  and  held  the  commission  until  the  close 
of  the  war.     In  1821  or  '22  he  was  appointed  Brigade  Inspector. 

§  William  Smith  was  the  son  of  Daniel  Smith  of  Balmville.  He  was  captam  of  the  Black 
Hawk  when  the  difficulty  occurred  between  that  vessel  and  the  Cuban  authorities. 


284 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


was  disbanded  in  1824,  and  its  active  members  united  with  tlie  other 
military  associations  of  the  town,  viz : 

1.  The  Village  Guard. — This  company  was  organized  in  1822,  under 
the  command  of  Henry  B.  Myers.  Its  uniform  consisted  of  a  blue 
cloth  coat,  white  vest  and  pantaloons,  a  black  stock  or  cravat,  white 
webbmg  cross  and  waist  belts,  a  leather  cap  trimmed  with  an  armor 
or  scale  chain  plate,  with  a  black  vulture  illume  and  cockade.  It  pre- 
served its  organization  tmtil  1846,  when  it  was  disbanded  under  the 
militia  law  of  that  year.  The  following  list  of  the  officers  of  the  com- 
pany is  from  the  roster  of  the  regiment: 


Dale.  Captain. 

1822  Henrv  B.  Myers, 
1825-G  "  do 

1827  (  do 

1827  \  William  C.  Hasbroiick, 

1828  do 

1829  do 
1831-33  do 

1834-35  Odell  S.  Hatlia\vn.y, 

1836  Walter  W.  Weed, 

1839  do 

1840  Adam  Lilburn, 
1843  Richard  J.  Whitney, 
1844-46  Addison  W.  Brown, 


Lieutenard. 
John  D.  Phillips, 
Nathaniel  Vail, 
William  C.  Hasbrouck, 
Alanson  Randoll, 
David  Harris, 
William  Butterworth, 
O.  S.  Hathaway, 
Walter  W.  Weed, 
Cyrus  S.  Hawkins, 
Thos.  McCuUough, 
Richard  J.  Whitney, 
Chas.  H.  Ball, 
Benj.  B.  Hawkins, 


Ensign. 
Ezra  B.  Sweet. 

do 
David  Harris. 

do 
William  Butterworth. 
OdeU  S.  Hathawav. 
Walter  W.  Weed. " 
Cyrus  S.  Hawkins. 
Thos  McCuUough. 
Wm.  H.  Roberson. 
Chas.  H.  Ball. 
Wm.  I.  Underhill. 

do 


2.  The  Newburgh  Volunteers. — This  company  was  organized  October 
30th,  1824 — John  D.  PhiUips,  captain;  John  Johnson,  lieutenant;  and 
Thomas  Smith,  ensign.  Its  uniform  was  the  same  as  that  adopted  by 
the  Village  Guard,  with  the  exception  of  the  plume  wliich  was  white. 
It  was  disbanded  imder  the  militia  law  of  1846,  at  which  time  it 
numbered  about  seventy  muskets.  The  following  list  of  its  officers  is 
from  the  books  of  the  company: 


Date.  Captain.'^'. 

1824  John  D.  Phillips, 
1829  do 

lggO-31  John  Johnson, 

1831  Cicero  A.  Gardiner, 
1832-33  do 

1834-35  Orson  TarbeU, 

1836  Oscar  Marsh, 
1837-38  do 

1839-41  do 

1842  Oscar  Marsh. 

1843  Lewis  W.  Gardiner, 

1844  do 
1845-46  do 


Lieutenant. 
John  Johnson, 

do 
Orson  TarbeU, 

do 

do 
Oscar  Marsh, 
Nelson  KeUcy, 
Alanson  Miller, 
Adam  Lilburn, 
Lewis  W.  Gardiner, 
N.  P.  Emett, 
John  F.  Baldwin, 
Westlake  Cannon, 


Ensign. 
Thomas  Smith. 
Orson  TarbeU. 
John  McAuley. 

Oscar  Marsh. 
Nelson  Kelley. 
Alanson  MiUer. 
Moses  Camack. 
Selah  T.  McCoUum. 
Joseph  A.  Starr. 

do 
Westlake  Cannon. 
John  S.  Wear. 


The  operation  of  the  law  of  1846,  was  disastrous  to  uniformed 
comj^anies.  This  law  provided  for  the  organization  of  only  one  com- 
pany in  each  company  district;  and,  by  its  rearrangement  of  the  regi- 
mental districts,  confined  the  19th  to  the  coimty  of  Orange,  thereby 
cutting  off  such  members  of  the  Newbm-gh  companies  as  resided  in 
Ulster.  The  Orange  Hussars  alone  suiwived  the  measure.  The  law 
of  1854,  however,  was  more  favorable,  and  led  to  the  organization  of 
five  companies,  viz: 


MILITIA   SINCE  THE  REVOLUTION.  285 


1.  The  Washington  Continental  Guard  (Co.  D). — The  organization  of 
this  company  was  perfected  by  Mr.  Robert  D.  Kemp  and  nineteen 
others,  on  the  22d  November,  1855.  It  adopted  the  continental 
uniform  of  1780,  which  was  procured  at  a  cost  of  $3,400;  but  was 
subsequent!}'  comj^elled  to  substitute  on  general  parade,  the  regular 
uniform  of  the  militia.  Its  original  roll  embraced  the  names  of  forty- 
two  members.     Its  officers  have  been: 

C'nidainn — R.  D.  Kemp,  Isaac  Wood,  .Jr.,  Michael  Doyle,  Tho^i.  S.  Marvel,  .Jr.,  Isaac  Jen- 
kinson,  Isaac  M.  Martin,  .Jas.  T.  Chase. 

First  Lieutenatds — Geo.  M.  Van  Nort,  Isaac  Wood,  Jr.,  Isaac  .Jenkinson.  Wni.  M.  Hath- 
away, Wm.  B.  Marvin,  Archibald  Ferguson,  Jas.  T.  Chase,  Geo.  W.  Hawkins,  .John  H. 
Terwilliger. 

Second  Lieulena7iis—Isa,a.c  Jenkinson,  Michael  Doyle,  Wni.  M.  Hathaway,  Wm.  I'.  Mar- 
vin, .John  Bocock,  George  C.  Marvin,  George  W.  Hawkins,  Nathaniel  Jackson,  .John  S. 
Terwilliger,  Christian  F.  Dietzeroth,  James  F.  Niel. 

2.  Powell  Corps  (Co.  E). — The  Powell  Corj^s  was  organized  Decem- 
ber Ist,  1857.     Its  officers  have  been: 

Captains--^.  N.  Arnold  (1857),  Eli  H.  Evans,  (18.59),  .John  S.  Watts  (1860). 

First  Lieutenants— Vfihon  Bruyn,  E.  J.  Roos,  D.  A.  Mabie,  W.  H.  Tice. 

Second  Lieutenants—^.  G.  Fowler,  W.  C.  Oakley,  W.  H.  Tice,  J.  P.  Vought,  E.D.  Hayt. 

3.  The  Newburgh  Guard  (Co.  F).— This  company  was  organized  De- 
cember 23d,  1858.  One  of  the  features  in  its  history  was  the  erection 
of  the  monument  to  Uzal  Knapp,  at  Washington's  head-quarters, 
which  was  inaugui'ated  with  public  ceremonies  on  Monday,  June  18, 
1860.     The  officers  of  the  company  have  been: 

Captains — John  D.  Kelly,  James  A.  Raney,  John  H.  Toohey,  Timothy  Donoghiie,  Fran- 
cis Rose. 

Fust  Lieutenants— James  O'Neil,  John  H.  Toohey,  Patrick  Day,  Patrick  Brennan,  Robt. 
H.  Brown,  Patrick  J.  McDonald. 

Second  Lieutenants — Joseph  Wilson,  Patrick  Day,  Robt.  H.  Brown,  Patrick  .J.  McDon- 
alh,  Patrick  McArdle. 

4.  The  Parmenter  Rifiemen  (Co.  L,  subsequently  C). — This  compa- 
ny was  organized  in  December,  1858,  and  took  its  name  in  honor  of 
the  colonel  of  the  regiment,  Stephen  C.  Parmenter.     Its  officers  were : 

Captains — R.  D.  Kemp,  Egbert  Alsdorf,  James  Smiley,  Robt.  H.  Kernochan. 

First  Lieutenants— Yj.  A.  Jones,  James  Smiley,  Robt.  H.  Kernochan,  E.  J.  F.  Marsh. 

Second  Lieutenants — H.  F.  Adams,  Alex.  Mann,  J.  W.  Stevenson,  John  H.  Brooks. 

5.  Ellis  Guard  (Co.  I). — This  company  was  organized  September 

12,  1865,  and  named  in  honor  of  Col.  A.  V.  H.  EUis  of  the  124th  N. 

Y.  V.     Its  officers  were: 

Captains — James  C.  Taggart,  Saml.  McQuaid,  David  A.  Mabie,  Jr.,  Alex.  McMeekin, 
B.  B.  Moore. 
First  Lieutenants — Sylvester  Lawson,  B.  B.  Moore. 
Second  Lieutenants— Saml.  McQuaid,  Wm.  C.  Carmichael,  Geo.  Wallace,  T.  J.  ColUns. 

In  1873,  companies  C  and  I  were  consohdated  and  the  united  com- 
pany named  C,  under  the  following  officers:  B.  B.  Moore,  captain; 
E.  F.  J.  Marsh,  first  heutenant;  John  H.  Brooks,  second  lieutenant. 

Companies  D,  E,  F,  and  L,  and  a  company  specially  recruited  called 
I,  were  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  as  part  of  the  19th  regi- 
ment militia,  for  three  months  from  Joine  4,  1862.     In  the  spring  of 


286 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


1861  (June  28),  company  I,  71st  regiment  militia,  was  recruited  prin- 
cipjilly  from  the  Parmenter  Riflemen,  company  L,  for  three  months' 
service,  and  was  in  the  tirst  battle  of  Bull  Run,  where  Saml.  O.  Bond, 
one  of  its  members,  was  killed.  It  was  again  recraited  for  three 
months'  service  in  the.  71st,  in  the  spring  of  1862,  and  many  of  its 
members  passed  directly  fi'om  the  field  into  the  124th  N.  Y.  V.  Not 
less  than  ninety  officers  of  the  volunteer  service,  from  colonel  to 
second  lieutenant,  were  drawn  from  the  active  and  lionorarv  members 
of  the  uniformed  companies  of  Newburgh.* 

KKBELLION    RECOKD. 

The  totals  of  quotas  and  credits  of  the  town  of  Newburgh  (then 
including  the  city),  dui-ing  the  wai"  of  the  rebellion,  were: 

Quotas  under  all  calls  prior  to  Dec.  19th,  186i, 1226 

Quota  under  the  call  of  Dec.  19th,  1864, 122 

1348 

Credits  under  all  ealls  prior  to  Doc.  19tli,  1864, 1257 

Credits  under  the  call  of  Dec.  19th,  1864, 122 

1379 

On  settlement  with  the  state  authorities,  under  the  bounty  act  t)f  1 865, 
the  town  was  allowed  for  an  excess  of  287  years,  or  for  78  three  yeai's' 
men  over  the  quotas  required,  amounting  to  $47,400 ;  and  in  the  same 
settlement  received  $49,800  for  bounties.  The  official  record  of  quotas 
and  the  response  which  was  made  to  them,  however,  fails  to  accurately 
represent  the  number  of  men  furnished  under  the  several  calls,  nor 

*  The  field-officers  of  the  Eegiment  have  been  : 

Date.  Colonel.  Lieut.  Colonel.  Major. 

1792  Geo.  Denniston,  command. 

1798  George  Denniston,        Leonard  Smith, 

1804  do  command. 

1808-12  Leonard  Smith,  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.,  Sly, 

1813  do  command.     Chancer  Belknap, 

1814-16  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.,       Chancer  Belknap,  Edmund  Griswold, 

1817  Chancey  Belknap,         Edmund  Griswold,  William  H.  P'alls, 

1818  do  WilHam  H.Falls,  James  Buttcrworth, 
1819-20  WilUam  H.  Falls,  James  Butterworth,  Daniel  Tooker, 
1821-23                     do  Daniel  Tooker,  Zadoeh  Lewis, 
1824-26  John  W.  Brown,  Gardiner  Thompson.  Charles  H.  Sly. 

1829  Gardiner  Thom|)son,     Isaac  R.  Carpenter, 

1830  do  do  John  D.  riiillips, 
1831-33                     do                                     do  do 

1834-35  Isaac  R.  Carpenter,  John  D.  PhilUps,  Wni.  C.  Hasbrouck. 

1836-37  John  D.  Phillips,  Odell  S.  Hathaway,  Orson  Tarbcll, 

1838-40  Odell  S.  Hathaway,  Nelson  Houston,  "  do 

1841  do  do  Stephen  C.  Parmenter, 

1S42  do  Stephen  C.  Parmenter,  Adam  Lilbiu-n, 

1843  Stephen  C.  Parmenter,  Adam  Lilburn,  Peter  M.  Joues, 

1845-57  do  do  Wilham  R.  Brown, 

1858-59  do  William  R.  Brown,  James  Low, 

1860  William  R.  Brown.  James  Low,  George  Waller, 

1864  Isaac  Wood,  Jr.,  do 

1865  (^has.  H.  Wysraut,  do  Wm.  M.  Hathaway, 

1866  Everett  J.  Roos.  WilUam  D.  Dickey,  Daniel  Torbush,  " 
1868  William  D.  Dickey,  Daniel  Torbush, '  James  C.  Taggart. 

Brigadier  Generals.— lim.  Joseph  Hasbrouck  ;  1808,  Josiah  Robinson  :  1813,  Leonard 
Smith;  1816,  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.;  1819,  Cbaneev  Belknap;  1823,  John  Jausen;  1825,  Gilbert 

0.  Fowler;  1827,  Daniel  LeFever;  1830,  Charles  Borland;  1837,  John  McBride;  1843,  Moses 

1.  Decker;  1845,  Alfred  D.  Hurtin ;  1846,  WiUiam  C.  Little  ;  1854,  Henrv  A.  Samson ;  1857, 
WUhani  W.  Scrugham;  1860,  Stephen  C.  Parmenter;  1864,  William  R.  Brown. 


REBELLION  RECORD.  287 


are  the  enlistments  prior  to  July,  1862,  entered  in  the  account.  The 
quota  under  the  call  of  July,  1802,  was  470;  the  number  fuiTiished, 
501.  The  quota  imder  the  call  of  July,  1868  (draft  of  October  7th), 
was  443,  which  number,  with  an  addition  of  50  per  cent,  (total  552), 
was  dra^vn,  of  whom  90  commuted,  entered  the  service  personally,  or 
furnished  substitutes.  The  total  of  quotas  under  the  merged  calls  of 
July  and  October,  1863,  and  of  February,  March  and  July,  1864,  was 
756;  the  number  furnished  (including  90  credited  by  draft  of  1863), 
827,  of  whom  71  were  not  credited.  The  volunteers  in  the  two 
years'  regiments,  and  in  the  militia  for  three  months,  prior  to  July, 
1862,  reached  the  aggi-egate  of  1078  men.  The  enlistments,  there- 
fore, may  be  summarized  as  follows: 

Enlistments  prior  to  .Jiilv,  1862, 1078 

"  under  call  of  .July, 1862, .501 

"  under  calls  ot  186.3,  '64, 827 

"  under^all  of  December,  1864, 122 

showing  a  total  of  2410,*  an  excess  of  1033  over  the  number  credited 
and  of  1002  over  the  quotas  required;  or,  reducing  the  enlistments 
prior  to  July,  1862,  to  three  years'  men  and  adding  the  number  (78) 
allowed  under  the  settlement  of  1865,  an  excess  over  quotas  of  518. 

The  volunteers  recruited  in  the  town  were  for  every-  branch  of  the 
service,  but  were  mainly  embraced  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  The 
following  general  enumeration  is  from  official  records: 

3d  Regiment ,  Co.  B % 

36th        "  "  B 82 

56th        "  "  A,  B,  etc 228 

124th        "  "A,H,etc 223 

166th        "  consolidated  with  176th 41 

168th        "  166 

63d         "  ;.     36 

98th        "  Co.  C 71 

7l8t        "  Militia,  Co.  1, 1861 58 

7l8t         "  "  "     1862 6.5 

19th        "  "        1862 .357 

7th  Independent  Battery 131 

.5th  Regiment  Artillery 11 

6th        "  "       ' 4 

7th        "  "        37 

15th        "  "        Co.  M 16 

16th        "  " 10 

2d         •'  Cavalry 57 

15th        "  "       Co.1 72 

18th        "  "        6 

Colored  Regiments 56 

Navy 116 

Miscellaneous,  including  substitutes,  etc 471 

Total, 2410 


*  The  names  of  miUtia  and  volunteers  representing  this  aggregate  are  of  permanent 
record  in  the  second  annual  report  of  the  Bureau  of  Military  Statistics  (1865),  and  in  the 
books  of  the  town.  It  may  be  added  that,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  volunteers  and 
substitutes  brought  in  by  recruiting  agents,  the  quotas  of  the  town  were  filled  by  legiti- 
mate recniiting  from  its  own  population.  In  this  connection  it  may  be  stated  that  the 
first  volunteers  recruited  in  the  state  were  by  James  A.  Rancy  for  Captain  Fullerton's  com- 
pany, mustered  as  Company  B,  .3d  Regiment.  The  company  was  h\  service  during  the 
entir(;  war,  although  a  number  of  its  original  members  were  discharged  at  the  expiration 
of  two  years. 


288  J^IS TOR  Y  OF  NEWB  UR GIL 

Three  public  subscriptions  were  raised  during  the  war  for  equip- 
ments, bounties,  etc.  The  first,  in  the  sj)rino-  of  1801,  was  for  the 
purjiose  of  furnisliing  equipments  for  the  nineteenth  regiment  militia, 
and  amounted  to  $7,885.  The  second  was  raised  in  August,  18G2,  for 
the  purpose  of  paying  a  bounty  to  every  person  enlisting  under  the 
call  of  July  of  that  year,  and  reached  the  sum  of  $17,521— of  which 
amount  $1(5,443  was  paid  for  bounties  and  the  balance  ($1,078)  con- 
tributed to  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  for  the  relief  of  families  of  vol- 
unteers. The  third  subscription  was  raised  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and 
was  known  as  "the  ten  doUar  bounty  fund."  Its  object  was  to  in- 
crease the  bounty  offered  by  the  town  to  recruits,  with  a  view  to  fill 
the  quota  and  avoid  a  draft,.  About  $1,200  was  raised  and  disbursed. 
In  addition  to  these  subscriptions,  there  was  raised  for  the  Soldiers' 
Aid  Society  and  for  other  purposes: 

Hospital  Fund,  year  oiidinjr  July  31,  1862, S    456.71 

"   1863 1,750.67 

"     "     "   1864, 2,467. !)4 

"  1865, 1,475.65 

*6,150.67 

Family  Relief  Fund,  from  .Ian.  1,  1863,  to  Aug.  1,  1865,  .  .      3,220.62 

Less  anidunt  from  Bounty  l''und, 1,078.00 

2,151.62 

Contrihuiions  to  Christian  Commission,  1864, 5,040.(10 

Hall  of  Military  Records,  1865,  (through  David  Moore,  Esq.) I,l!)0.fl0 

Total  general  contributions, $14,532.20 

The  subscriptions  for  special  purposes  were  not  limited  in  niimber 
or  of  small  amount,  but  were  necessarily  without  public  record.  The 
sums  raised  by  the  issue  of  town  bonds,  for  the  payment  of  boun- 
ties, etc.,  were: 

Village  bonds  for  eciuipmcnts,  1861, j!5,00().(MI 

Town  bonds,  1864,  lirst  issue, 21,250.00 

"  1864,  second  issue, 154,850.00 

"  1865, 84,600.00 

. $275,700.00 

Special  relief  of  families  of  volunteers, 2,423  8i) 

278,123.80 
Less  amount  refunded  by  the  state,  1865, 97,200.00* 

180,923.80 

Add  subscription,  1861, 7,385  00 

1862, 17,.521.00 

1865, 1,2()0.00 

"               Soldiers' Aid  Societies,  etc.  (jn-eceding  table),.      14,,532.20 
Assessment  for  proportion  of  $421,0o0  county  bounty  b(mds, 146,082  76 

Total  of  expenditures,  aside  from  general  taxes,!  etc., $367,644.94 

*  The  town  failed  to  realize  the  full  amount  of  the  bonds. 

t  The  general  taxes  were  increased  from  $45,671.68,  in  1861,  to  $134,716.21,  in  1866— or, 
deductmg  tor  county  bonds,  to  $111,802.87. 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  289 


CHAPTER  Xn. 


NEWBURGH    CHURCHES RELIGIOUS    AND    LITERARY     ASSOCIATIONS — SCHOOLS- 


ry^HE  ecclesiastical  liistory  of  Newlmroli  properly  commences  with 
Jl  the  first  settlement  of  it  by  the  (Tcrman  Palatines.  They  were 
aU  Lutherans,  or  at  least  protestants;  they  had  a  pastor,  and  meas- 
ures wcro  taken  for  the  support  of  relij^aon  by  the  infant  colony. 
The  facts  connected  with  the  relifi^ious  history  of  the  Palatines  have 
been  given  in  an  earlier  chapter  and  need  not  be  again  narrated.  In 
process  of  time  the  English  jiortion  of  the  pop\ilation  of  the  town 
exceeded  the  German  in  point  of  numlxr;  and  as  the  principal  men 
on  the  German  patent  sympathized  more  or  less  with  the  Chiirch  of 
England,  the  proj^erty  originally  given  for  the  support  of  Luther- 
anism,  was  apjirojjriated  to  the  maintenance  of  the  former  church. 
The  2:)lanting  and  development  of  that  denomination  is  especially 
shown  in  the  annals  of 

ST.  George's  episcopal  church. 

In  1701,  the  "  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,"  was  formed  in  England,  by  mem])ers  of  the  establislied  church, 
and  obtained  a  royal  charter  from  William  III.  Its  special  object  was 
to  extend  Episcopacy,  and  its  chief  field  of  operations,  at  the  time  of 
its  origin,  was  the  American  colonies.  From  its  records  it  appears 
that  application  Avas  made  for  a  missionar}',  by  the  inhabitants  of 
New  Windsor,  in  the  county  of  Ulster,  in  1728.  It  was  referred  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey,  of  New  York,  who,  in  1 72'.),  reported  that  the 
district  which  it  was  proposed  to  embrace  in  the  New  Windsor  mis- 
sion, included  that  settlement  and  "  parts  adjacent,  20  miles  from 
north  to  south  and  K!  from  east  to  west;"  and  further,  that  the  popu- 
lati(^n  amounted  to  about  400.  The  society  immediately  commissioned 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Charlton,  at  a  salary  of  £50  per  annum,  who  served  the 
mission  until  1731.*  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick, 
who  remained  in  the  field  until  1784.  During  the  next  ten  years  the 
mission  was  unoccupied. 

About  1734  "  the  English  and  Dutch  new  inhabitants,"  as  they  are 

*  Mr.  Charlton  removed  to  the  city  of  New  York,  where  he  served  as  assistant  minister 
of  Trinity  cburcli.  In  1747  he  was  appointed  missionary  of  Staten  Island,  where  he  re- 
mained until  his  death  in  October,  1777. 

019 


o;)()  UJSTOJiY  OF  NEWBUHGJL 

styled  in  the  old  reeords,  began  to  settle  at  Newbiirgli,  and  in  1747 
they  had  become  so  numerous  that  they  were  enabled  to  elect  trustees 
of  the  Glebe,  and  even  went  so  far  as  to  sluit  the  doors  of  the  Pala- 
tine chui-ch  against  the  Lutheran  minister,  who  occasionally  visited  the 
Gennan  families.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Watkins,  who  had  been  appointed  in 
1744  to  the  New  Windsor  mission,  preached  on  Sunday,  19th  July, 
1747,  in  the  Palatine  church;  and  on  that  day  performed  divine  wor- 
ship, according  to  the  Episcopal  form,  for  the  first  time  Avithin  the 
limits  of  the  German  patent.*  In  1758,  the  governor  and  council 
issued  letters  patent  to  Alexander  Colden  and  Richard  Albertson,  as 
tmstees  of  the  Glebe,  and  confirmed  the  use  of  it,  and  of  the  church 
of  the  Palatines,  to  the  Church  of  England. 

From  the  reports  of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel,  it 
appears  that,  in  1758,  the  inhabitants  of  Newburgh  parish  had  re- 
paired the  church,  and  had  erected  a  house  for  the  minister,t  Mr. 
Watkins,  who  had  "  good  hopes  of  seeing  the  Newburgh  parish  pop- 
ulous and  flourishing  in  a  short  time."  Mr.  Watkins  occupied  the 
mission  until  1765,  and  during  his  incumbency,  he  is  reported  to  have 
baptised  199  persons;  the  niimber  of  communicants  being  aboiit  100. 
He  is  said  to  have  been  "  a  single  man,  of  an  easy  disposition,  so  that 
he  hved  happily  with  his  people  until  his  death ;  but  his  talents  as  a 
preacher  were  not  of  a  popular  cast."  % 

In  1709,  the  Rev.  John  Sayre  was  appointed  to  the  vacant  charge; 
and  in  November  of  that  year,  the  "  Minister,  Church  Wardens  and 
Vestrymen"  petitioned  the  governor  (Colden)  and  coimcil  for  a  char- 
ter for  the  Newburgh  mission.  This  petition  states,  "  that  by  the 
pious  donations  of  several  persons,  the  mission  is  ah-eady  in  posses- 
sion of  tracts  of  land,  which,  for  want  of  a  royal  charter  constituting 
them,  the  minister,  wardens  and  vestrymen,  a  body  corporate,  are  now 
held  for  the  church  by  deeds  of  tnist  only.  The  inconvenience  arising 
from  this  and  sundry  other  matters  in  which  the  go6d  of  the  Episco- 
pal chui'ch  is  essentially  concerned  and  which  might  be  obviated  by  a 
royal  charter,  have  induced  your  petitioners  humbly  to  pray,  that  yotu- 
Honor  would  be  pleased  to  grant — His  Majesty's  Charter  of  Incorpo- 

*  Documentary  Hist.  N.  Y.  iii,  59:5.     Anti'  page  123. 

t  Views  of  the  church  and  ot  the  parsonap;e  are  given  on  ante  p.  120,  128. 

f  Hczckiah  Watkins,  of  Newburgh,  publislieil  in  a  paper  printed  by  I.  Parker  and  W. 
Weyinans,  15th  March,  17(!5,  "Observations  (ui  the  circumstances  and' conduct  of  the  peo- 
pk'  in  the  counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster,"  in  which  the  provincial  assembly  was  taken  to 
task.  The  printers  were  sunnnoiuul  to  apjiear  at  the  bar  of  the  assembly;  but,  after  a 
short  contiuement,  they  were  reprimanded  and  let  go.  Watkins,  however,  was  not  libe- 
rated until  the  next  year,  when,  haWnc;  acknowledged  the  authorship  of  the  article,  he 
was  reprimanded  and  set  free.  (Doc.  Hist,  iv.)  "  Of  this  faithful  and  laborious  servant 
in  the  Gospel,"  says  Dr.  Brown,  (Historical  Sermon  p.  15,)  "there  are  now  iu  this  county 
many  respectable  friends  and  relatives  bearing  the  same  name."  The  late  Hezekiah 
Watkins,  of  CJardiner,  Ulster  county,  was  a  relative  of  the  Newburgh  minister,  and  the 
same  remark  may  be  made  of  Dr.  John  D.  Watkins,  of  Liberty,  Sullivan  couuty.  (History 
Sul.  Co.,  357.) 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  291 


ration,"  &c.  Dated,  Coldenham,  Nov.  17th,  1769.  The  petition  is 
signed  by  John  Sayre,*  missionary;  Chas.  Robie,  Cad.  Colden,  Jr., 
Saml.  Fowler,  and  Joseph  Watkins,  vestrymen;  and  Robert  Carskad- 
den,  Andrew  Graham,  and  Josiah  Gilbert,  wardens.  '  It  is  endorsed: 
"  17G9,  Dec.  12.  Read  in  council  and  granted."  The  charter,  how- 
ever, for  some  reason  was  not  issued,  and,  on  the  16th  of  April,  1770, 
another  petition  was  sent  to  the  governor,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sayre,  and 
Messrs.  Samuel  Fowler,  William  Ellison,  Stephen  Wiggins,  Leonard 
Smith,  Samuel  Winslow,  and  Nathan  Purdy.  This  also  is  endorsed: 
"1770,  May  2d.  Read  in  council  and  granted."  On  the  30th  of 
July,  1770,  a  charter  was  issued,  which  is  still  preserved,  incorpo- 
rating the  church  as  St.  George's. 

The  prosperity  of  the  church  was  very  seriously  affected  by  the 
Revolution.  In  1775,  IVIr.  Sayre  resigned  his  office,  and  many  of  his 
parishioners  conscientiously  adhered  to  the  cause  of  the  king  and  thus 
excited  against  the  church  the  popular  feehng.  When  the  war  was 
ended,  the  St.  George's  parish  of  1770  had  neither  minister,  nor  war- 
dens, nor  vestry,  and  practically  it  had  ceased  to  exist.  No  attempt 
to  resuscitate  the  church  appears  to  have  been  made  until  1790,  when 
the  Rev.  George  H.  Spierih  was  elected  to  discharge  the  double  duty 
of  minister  and  school-master;  but  his  election  was  resisted  by  a  large 
portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  German  patent,  and  he  only  served 
until  1793,t  when  the  station  again  became  vacant  and  so  remained 
for  more  than  ten,  years. 

On  the  4th  November,  1805,  the  church  was  reorganized  under  the 
old  name  of  St.  George's.  "  So  fearfuUy  smaU,"  says  Dr.  Brown, 
"  was  the  number  of  her  friends  here,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to 
resort  to  the  neighboring  parishes  for  a  sufficient  number  even  to  form 
an  incorporation."  At  this  time,  the  special  purpose  of  the  recirgani- 
zation  was  a  legal  one,  such  a  step  being  deemed  necessary  in  order 
to  a  recover}'  of  the  old  church  and  Glebe.  Of  the  trial  at  law  which 
ensued  it  is  unnecessary  to  speak,  as  a  full  account  of  it  is  given  in  a 
previous  chapter.    The  following  is  the  record  of  the  reorganization: 

"  Nov.  4,  1805.  At  a  meeting  of  the  persons  attached  to  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  that  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  of  the  Parish  of  Newburgh,  should  be  known,  as  heretofore,  by  the 
name  of  St.  George's  Church;  and  that  the  election  for  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen 
of  said  Church  should  be  held  annually  on  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  at  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church,  on  the  German  patent,  in  the  said  Parish  of  Newburgh. 

"The  following  wardens  and  vestrymen  were  elected:  Arthur  Smith  and  George  Merritt, 
wardens;  Wm.  W.  Sackett,  Gilbert  Colden  Willet,  Saml.  Floyd,  Thos.  Carskadden,  John 


*  Mr.  Sayre  was  a  man  of  talent  and  a  popular  preacher.  He  was  very  successful  in 
his  ministrations,  and  gathered  large  congregations  at  the  different  stations  where  he 
preached.  He  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  charter  of  incorporation  for  each  of  the  three 
churches  under  his  care,  viz:  St  George's  church,  of  Newburgh;  St.  Andrew's  church,  of 
Montgomery;  and  St.  David's  church,  of  tloshen  (now  in  Hamptonburgh). 

t  Mr.  Spierin  accepted  a  call  from  the  congregation  of  Poughkeepsie,  and  removed  to 
that  place  in  1793. 


292  msTonr  of  m<:]vburgfi. 

Gnrrit,  David  Fowler,  Hi'iiry  CaUbvell,  ami  Justin  F()i>t,  vi^stryimir,  and  Jonathan  Fisk 
and  J()sei)li  Hoftniaii.  Trusters  of  the  (xlebe." 

"Jan.  2.S,  1S0().  On  motion,  Ut-solved,  Tliat  Mr.  Saekott,  Mr.  Fisk,  and  Mr.  Carskad- 
den  be  a  eonmiittee  to  wait  on  Jlr.  Foster  for  Ills  {•oiisent  tliat  our  minister,  next  time  lie 
preaches  in  tliis  Parish,  ])re:ieh  in  the  Aeadeni.v. 

"  On  motion,  liesolved.  That  Mr.  Fisk,  air.  liotliiiau  and  INFr.  C'arskadden  he  a  eom- 
niittee  to  open  and  repair  St.  Oeorge'sCliureli  in  tins  rarisli."     (The  oUl  Lutlieran  elnireh.) 

'•  April  S,  ISOC.  At  a  nieetiiii;-  of  tlie  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  lieorf;e's  Chureli, 
in  the  Parish  of  Ne\vl>iu-.i;h,  lietd  on  'J'uesdny.  rlie  Stli  day  of  April,  ISI)(!,  at  tlu>  Inmse  of 
Kobt.  U.  ])olph,  in  the  I'arish  of  Newbur.yh.  for  tlie  i)ur])ose  of  eleetinu;  two  Wardens  and 
eif^bt  Vestrvnien:  Oeortfe  Merritt  in  the  chair;  J.  Fisk,  clerk.  The  followin.i,'  were  eh<isi'n: 
Henry  Caldwell  and  l>a\id  Fowler.  Wardens;  Wui.  W.  Saekett,  (i.  0.  Willet.  Saml.  Floyd, 
Thos."  Carskadden.  Justin  Foole,  Francis  Siiiitb.  .lohn  Oarrit,  and  Wni.  Taylor,  Vestrymen. 

"  On  motion.  Itesolved,  That  Mr.  Fish  be  Clerk  to  thi'  Vestry  and  Wardens. 

••  On  motion,  Itesolved,  That  Henry  Caldwell  be  Treasurer  of  this  Church. 

'•  On  motion,  Itesolved.  That  Messrs.  Floyd.  tlolVman.  Fowler,  and  Willet  be  a  com- 
mittee to  procure  subscriptions  and  siilicit  donations  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  this 
Chtirch  to  su]>p(nt  a  cleriryman. 

•'I\Ir.  (irahiim  and  Mr.  Colden.  a  committee  from  St.  Andrew's,  applied  to  St.  George's 
to  ascertain  if  this  Church  will  unite  w  ith  them  in  the  sujiport  oi'  a  clergyman.  On  nio- 
tiim.  Itesolved,  That  this  Church  will  miite  with  St.  Andrew's  in  the  support  of  a  elergy- 
nn\n;  and  that  Mr.  l^'owler,  j\Ir.  Cahlwi<ll,  and  a[r.  Fisk,  be  a  committee  to  couftr  with  the 
said  I'onunittee  from  St.  Andiew's,  and  conclude  ihe  terms  on  which  such  clergyman  shall 
be  employed  by  our  united  support,  and  'bat  the  said  connnittee  also  confer  with  the 
Episciipai  Church  a'  Oosben  and  ascertain  if  that  Church  will  unite  v.ith  this  and  St.  .An- 
drew's to  sui)port  a  I'hrgynian." 

"July  2S,  ISOli.  Couimit'ec  on  Pastor  rciuirted.  that  they  had  not  been  able  to  mvet 
with  conuuit'ees  from  St.  .Andrew's  and  Goshen." 

"Aug.  4,  bSO(>.  Committee  repn-ted  that  the  Clim'ch  at  Goshen.  St.  .-Vndrows,  Now 
Windsor,  and  Newburgh,  had  agreed  to  unite  in  su])]ior*ing-  a  clergyman." 

The  pastor  whose  services  wer(^  secured  under  the  ai^reemeiit  of 
August  J:tli,  above  quoted,  was  the  l^ev.  Frederick  ^-"an  Home,  who 
resided  at  St.  Andrew's  (at  the  time  probtililv  tlie  strongest  con- 
gregation in  the  proposed  circiiit),  who  continued  in  that  capacity 
until  1801),  when  he  removed  to  Ballston.  The  Eev.  Mr.  ]\rackin 
succeeded  him,  but  remained  in  the  tield  onlv  a  fcAv  months;  and 
diiriug  the  next  year  (1810)  an  agreement  was  made  AAith  Rev.  Mr. 
Powell,  rector  of  St.  Andrew's,  Coldenhani.  by  St.  George's  church, 
for  the  one  thu'd  of  his  time.  This  state  of  tilings  continued  until 
1815,  when  the  Eev.  Dr.  John  Brown  entered  upcm  the  duties  of  rec- 
tor of  St.  George's  church,  having  preached  his  inaugiirid  sermon  on 
the  24:th  Dec.  of  that  vear.  Dr.  Brown,  then  onlv  in  deacon's  orders, 
had  just  connneuced  his  ministerial  labors  in  Trinity  church,  Fishkill. 
By  the  advice  of  the  late  Bishop  Hobart,  he  was  induced  to  perform 
a  third  sendee  in  NcAvburgh  for  many  Sundays  in  succession,  diuing 
which  period  "  the  Holy  Connnunion  was  acbninistered  for  the  first 
time  in  the  parish  since  the  revolutiontiry  war  to  the  sniaD  number  of 
three."  Dm-ing  the  lirst  yetxi-  of  Dr.  Brown's  imciunbency,  the  num- 
ber of  persons  continued  was  thii'ty-seven,  and  twenty-eight  were  ad- 
mitted to  the  holy  ccnnmunion.  Dr.  Brown  continued  in  full  charge 
of  the  work  of  the  ptirish  until  January,  1859,  when  Rev.  Caleb  S. 
Henry,  D.  D.,  was  engaged  as  assistant  minister,  and  served  until 
March,  1801.  In  October,  1859,  Rev.  Hobart  Chetwood  was  engaged 
in  the  same  capacity,  and  servtHl  until  June,  1800.  He  was  succeeded 
in  October  by  Rev.  Jolni  A\'.  Clark,  who  served  until  November,  1802, 


CHURCHES.    SCHOOLS.    ETC 


293 


when  the  office  was  discontinued.  Revs.  T.  M.  Riley,  John  F.  Potter, 
Johu  Downic,  and  Alex.  Davidson,  siKicessivoly  seized  as  assistants  to 
the  rector  until  October,  1HG8,  when  the  Rev.  Octavius  Apple^ate  was 
elected  asr;istant  minister  with  duties  involving-  the  active  rectorship. 

The  first  edifice  occupied  by  the  con<*'regation  of  St.  Georo-e's  was, 
as  1  before  mentioned,  the  one  erected  by  the  Lutherans,  and  long 
known  as  the  old  Glel>e  school-house.  When  the  Episcopalians 
ceased  to  occui)y  this  church  is  uncertain,  but  it  was  proT)ably  very 
soon  after  the  war  of  the  revolution  bef^an.  In  1815,  the  conf,a-e<>-a- 
tion  was  temporarily  accommodated,  throuj^h  the  kindness  of  the  late 
Mr.  Tliomas  Ellison  of  New  Windsor,  in  a  Ijuildinj.^-  on  Liberty  street, 
known  as  the  McLitosh  house.  Hero  it  remained  for  some  years. 
The  chui'ch  edifice  (St.  George's)  was  begun  in  18l(>,  and  was  conse- 


hJ.    GKOJii.K  S    K1'IS<  (JPAI.   f :HUK(  H. 


crated  hj  Bishop  Hobart,  November  10,  1819.  Tlie  increase  of  the 
congregation  rendering  more  room  necessary,  a  gallery  was  put  nj)  in 
1H2V),  and  at  the  sanu'  time  an  organ  was  puix-hased.  In  1834,  the 
building  was  enlarged,  and  the  steejjle  was  added,  in  which  a  fine 
toned  beU  was  hxmg.  The  church  was  again  enlarged  and  beautified 
in  1853,  at  an  expense  of  $9,()()0.  At  that  time  the  tasteful  and  com- 
modious Siuiday-school  room  and  vestry  was  built  on  the  south  side 
of  the  church.  The  chiu:ch  edifice  is  the  doric  ntjle  of  architecture. 
It  has  a  front  on  Grand  street  of  45  feet,  and  i.s  90  feet  in  depth.  Its 
pews  Im'nish  accommodations  for  B50  persons. 

The  accommodations  fui-nished  by  the  enlargement  of  the  church, 
however,  failed  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  congregation,  and  in 
March,  1859,  the  rector  and  vestry  of  St.  George's  purchased  the  edi- 


294  ITISTOIiY  OF  NEU'BUnOH. 

fice  oripfiuoUy  erected  by  the  conp:rep;ation  of  the  Union  A.  E.  church. 
This  buildiufx  was  thoroughly  refitted  and  improved  in  its  ai'cliitect- 
ure,  and  in  the  following  May  it  was  consecrated  for  Episcopal  wor- 
ship under  the  name  of  St.  John's  chapel.  The  entei-prise  failed  of 
success,  and  the  building  was  (1864)  sold  for  other  purposes.  In  the 
mejuitime  the  necessity  which  its  piu'chase  was  designed  to  supply, 
had  foimd  accommodation  in 

ST.  p.\itl's  episcopal  church, 
the  orgiuiization  of  which  sprjing  fi*om  a  desii'e,  on  the  part  of  several 
members  of  St.  George's  pjxrisli,  to  extend  the  influence  of  the  Epis- 
copal fjiith  over  a  field  wider  than  that  which  it  was  thought  could  be 
successfully  embraced  under  a  single  church  juristliction.  The  propo- 
sition to  divide  the  old  psirish  and  erect  an  additionjil  one,  was  made 
in  1858.  but  po  steps  were  then  tjiken  to  accomplish  that  object.  On 
the  12th  May,  18(i(),  the  proposition  was  renewed,  and  a  fornuil  appli- 
cation was  made  to  the  rector  of  St.  George's,  in  accordance  A\-ith  the 
laws  of  the  Episcopiil  I'hiu'da,  for  liis  officijil  consent  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  new  congi*egation  \\dtliin  the  limits  of  his  pju'ish. 

The  application  received  tlie  consent  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Brown,  and 
the  congregation  of  St.  Paul's  chui"ch  wjis  soon  after  informjilly  organ- 
ized. On  the  5tli  of  June,  the  membei's  of  the  proposed  new  congre- 
gation extended  a  unaninunis  call  to  the  Rev.  Hobtu't  Chetwood,  at 
that  time  assistant  minister  of  St.  George's  chvu'ch,  to  be  their  pastor. 
This  I'all  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Chetwood — the  acceptsxnce  to  take 
efl'ect  at  the  termination  of  his  engagement  to  the  old  pju'ish,  Nov.  1st, 
181)0.  By  the  subsequent  action  of  the  vestry  of  St.  George's,  Mr. 
Chetwood's  connection  with  that  paiish  ceased  on  the  23d  of  June  ; 
and,  on  tlie  25th  of  June,  he  consented  to  enter  at  once  upon  his  du- 
ties as  minister  i^f  St.  Paul's.  The  organization  of  the  church  was 
completed  on  the  11th  September,  by  the  election  of  David  M.  Clai'k- 
son  and  William  E.  WiU-ren,  wai'dens  ;  and  F.  C.  Withers,  Hiram 
Falls,  H.  H.  BeU,  ^^  ni.  Bogert,  R.  Y.  K.  Montfort,  Jolm  Gordon,  E. 
W.  Gray,  and  G.  J.  Appleton,  vestrsmen.  Mi-.  Chetwood  exchanged 
^^^th  Rev.  H.  P.  C.  Meh-ille,  dm-ing  the  wdnter  of  1866.  Rev.  Dr. 
Limdy  served  as  assistant  minister  fi-om  Sept.  1st,  1867,  to  his  death 
m  April,  1868.  Rev.  Dr.  Irving  was  his  successor  for  six  montlis.  In 
June,  1872.  Mr.  Chetwood  resigned  the  rectorship,  and  in  September 
following.  Rev.  Rufus  Emery  became  his  successor. 

The  first  service  of  the  chim-h  was  held  in  the  Highland  Academy 
(now  the  Home  for  the  Friendless),  on  Sunday,  July  1st.  Within  a 
fortnight  after  that  date,  a  lot  was  pmvhased  on  Grand  street,  at  a 
cost  of  $4,100,  and  a  contract  entered  into  with  ]Mr.  Jno.  Little  for  the 
erection  of  a  chapel.     The  building  was  opened  for  di^•ine  woi'ship  on 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC.  295 

the  first  Sunday  in  October  (Oct.  7,  18(50).  Its  cost,  including  furni- 
ture, was  about  $2,800.  On  the  1st  June,  18(54,  the  erection  of  a 
church  edifice  was  formally  inaugurated,  with  the  exjjressed  intention 
of  prosecuting  the  undertaking  to  enclosure,  leaving  the  nave,  tower, 
etc.,  to  the  future.  The  comer-stone  was  laid  on  Thursday  afternoon, 
August  24th,  18(55,  by  llev.  John  Brown,  D.  D.,  under  appointment 
of  the  bishop  of  the  diocese.  The  building,  although  in  occu])ation 
and  supplied  with  an  organ,  etc.,  awaits  connjletion  in  the  respects 
already  mentioned.     The  expenditure  so  far  made  is  about  $85,000. 

ST.  George's  mission. 
St.  George's  Mission  was  begun  June  4tli,  1871,  in  an  upper  room, 
called  McConlcey's  haU,  on  Western  Avenue.  In  October  follovnng 
two  floors  of  a  tenement  were  engaged  and  fitted  up  for  service  as 
well  as  Sunday-school,  which  were  continued  fi"om  ()ctol)er  2!),  1871, 
until  Febnxary  1(5,  1872,  when  the  chapel,  which  had  been  (erected  in 
the  meantime,  was  occupied.  The  cost  of  the  chapel,  including  lot, 
furniture,  etc.,  was  $4,853.16.  Revs.  Boss,  Smith,  and  G.  W.  Hinkle 
have  been  the  ministers  in  charge. 

THE  CHURCH  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  1875,  Bishop  Cummings,  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  held  service  in  the  American  Reformed 
Church,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  25th  "The  Church  of  the  (Corner- 
stone "  was  organized  under  the  general  statute  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  and  the  foUowdng  officers  elected:  Wardens— Daniel  T.  Rogers 
and  Walter  C.  Anthony;  Vestrymen — James  (1.  Graham,  J.  Wilson 
Stratt(m,  William  J.  Roe,  Jr.,  George  Middleton,  Robert  L.  Case,  Jas. 
(t.  Birch,  Edward  Haigh.  Benjamin  F.  Clark,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer; James  G.  Birch,  superintendent  of  Sabbath-school.  Regular 
services  were  subsequently  held  in  the  lecture  room  of  the  Associate 
Reformed  Church.  Rev.  Dr.  Leac^ock  was  called  to  the  rectorship  in 
October,  and  entered  at  once  upon  the  discharge  of  its  duties.  In 
November  ground  was  broken  for  the  erection  of  the  church  edifice 
on  South  street;  and  on  the  24th  of  that  month  the  contract  for 
building  was  given  to  Thomas  Dobin  at  $4,0(55).  The  structure  is  of 
Gothic  style  and  has  a  frontage  of  thirty-three  feet.  Seating  accom- 
modations are  provided  for  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons.  It 
was  first  occupied  on  Easter-Sunday  (April  1(5),  187G. 

FIRST    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

The  adherents  of  the  Presbyterian  faith  who  first  came  to  New- 
burgh  were  connected  with  the  Bethlehem  church  in  Cornwall,  which 
was  founded  about  172(5.  From  this  parent  stem  sprang  the  church 
of  New  Windsor,  which  was  organized  Sei^tenibor  14,  17(54,  when  the 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mofi'at,  and  Jos.  Wood,  Wm. 


296  msTonr  OF  NEwnunoir. 


Lawrence,  Samuel  Brewster,  and  Henry  Smith  were  chosen  elders. 
The  Rev.  Timothy  Johnes,*  afterwards  and  for  many  years  pastor  of 
the  chm-ch  of  Morristown,  N.  J.,  was  appointed  stated  supply  of  the 
church  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  and  served  in  that  capacity 
from  the  5th  of  May,  1766,  until  October,  1767,  when  he  was  succeed- 
ed by  the  Rev.  Francis  Pejipard,  who  remained  until  1773.  During 
the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Peppard,  the  district  was  divided  into  four  jjarts, 
viz :  Bethlehem  or  New  Cornwall,  Murderer's  creek,  New  Windsor,  and 
Newburgh,  in  each  of  which  trustees  were  appointed  for  the  purpose 
of  raising"  funds  and  taking  charge  of  the  temporal  affairs  of  the 
church  in  their  respective  neighborhoods,  thereby  creating,  as  it  were, 
four  informal  societies.  The  withdrawfd  of  Mr.  Peppard  left  the  sta- 
tion vacant,  and  measui'es  were  taken  to  secure  the  services  of  the 
Rev.  John  Close,  "j"  While  these  arrangements  were  pending,  however, 
the  Marlborough  Society  invited  the  trustees  of  the  Newburgh  district 
to  unite  with  them  in  temporarily  settling  the  Rev.  John  McCallah 
over  both  districts.  This  invitation  was  accepted,  and  Mr.  McCallah 
entered  upon  his  duties  Sej^tember  26,  1773. |  But  his  labors  in 
Newburgh  could  have  been  only  for  a  few  weeks,  as  in  November  of 
the  same  year,  the  arrangements  for  that  purposo  having  been  per- 
fected, Mr.  Close  was  invited  to  take  the  vacant  charge,  and  soon  alter 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  pastor.  The  war  of  the  Revolution,  how- 
evei*,  prevented  his  formal  installation,  and,  a  large  portion  of  his  time 
being  occuj^ied  as  chaplain  in  the  militia,  the  public  services  of  the 
church  were  very  ii-regular.  In  consequence  of  these  facts,  the  infor- 
mal society  in  Newbm-gh  apjiears  to  have  maintained  a  separate  or- 
ganization during  the  war,  elder  AViUiam  Lawrence  performing  the 
pastoral  duties. 

Immediately  after  the  war,  this  informal  society,  strengthened  by 


*  The  Rev.  Timothy  Johnes  was  the  grandfather  of  Edward  R.  and  Aaron  P.  Johnes, 
of  Newburgh. 

t  At  a  meeting  of  the  Elders  and  several  of  the  members  of  the  congregation  of  New 
Wmdsor,  the  22d  August,  1773,  for  setting  on  foot  a  subscription  for  raising  a  salary  for 
the  Rev.  John  Close,  in  order  to  the  calUng  of  him  as  the  stated  Teacher  and  Pastor  of 
the  united  congregations  of  Bethlehem  and  Now  Windsor— 

"  It  is  agreed,  that  the  congregation  stand  divided  into  four  districts,  as  in  Mr.  Pep- 
pard's  tune  (i.  e.  1767):  That  Trustees  be  appointed  in  each  district  in  whose  names  the 
subscriptions  shull  be  taken  for  the  use  of  the  said  Mr.  Close  ;  and  the  following  persons 
were  named  as  Trustees,  viz  : 

"Kew  C()rnwcdl  /^/.s^rid-Joseph  Wood,  Reuben  Clark,  Joseph  Smith,  Daniel  Wood, 
Jeremiah  Clark. 

"  Murderer' a  Creek  iW.sMo/'— Francis  Mandevill,  Samuel  Brewster,  William  Roe,  Benja- 
min Case,  William  Williams. 

"New  ^J>i!if()r  Diglrict- John  Nicoll,  James  Chnton,  David  Halladav,  Saml.  Brewster, 
L,eonard  Nicoll.  George  Clinton,  Judah  Harlow,  Sanil.  Logan,  Charles  i3ooth. 

"  Aeirburgh  7>Ks/r(c/— Jonathan  Ilasbrouck,  Abel  Belknap,  Moses  Higby,  Elnathan 
Foster,  Isaac  Belknap."— C7/(//o«  Firper.%  SLite  Library. 

X  "  Sept.  24,  1773.  This  day  hired  the  Rov.  Mr.  John  McCallah  for  six  months,  to 
preach  one  halt  of  the  tunc!  in  the  meeting  house  and  the  other  half  at  Newburgh,  the 
two  trustees  accountable  to  him  for  the  sum  of  £20— 12s,  and  the  Lower  or  Newburgh 
bociety  accountable  for  the  remainder  of  his  salarv."— ilfi/*.  Marlb.  Society. 


CHUBCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC.  297 


the  addition  of  several  persons  who  became  permanent  residents  on 
the  disbandment  of  the  army,  obtained  the  building-  which  had  been 
erected  by  the  army  as  a  store-house  for  clothing-,  where  it  appears  to 
have  held  2:)ublic  worship  in  the  winter  of  1783,  or  spring  of  1784. 
The  records  of  the  church  state  that  divine  service  was  held  here  in 
1784,  and  that  the  congregation  was  formally  organized  in  the  same 
year.  The  minutes  of  the  meeting  held  for  the  purpose  of  organiza- 
tion, are  as  follows,  viz: 

"  In  pursuance  of  an  act  entitled  "  An  Act  to  enable  all  Religious  Denominations  in  the 
State  to  appoint  Trustees,  who  shall  be  a  body  corporate  for  the  purpose  of  taking  care  of 
the  Temporalities  of  their  respective  congregations,  and  for  other  purposes,"  passed  the 
(ith  day  of  April,  1784,  the  congregation  or  Religious  Society  desirous  of  forming  them- 
selves into  a  regular  well-constituted  congregation  or  society,  agreeable  to  the  Canon  of 
the  Church  of  Scotland,  at  Newburgh,  did,  on  the  12th  day  of  July  last  past — being  stated 
attendants  on  Divine  worship  by  Elder  William  Lawrence — advertise  a  meeting  of  the 
said  congregation,  agreeable  to  the  said  Act,  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Adolph  DeGrove.for 
the  purpose  of  electing,  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  thereof,  Trustees  for 
the  good  purposes  intended  and  mentioned  in  the  said  Act;  and  being  convened  at  the  time 
and  i)lace  aforesaid,  did,  in  the  tirst  ])lace,  by  plurality  of  voices,  nominate  and  appoint 
Mr.  Asa  Steward  to  act  with  the  said  William  Lawrence  as  Returning  officers,  who  pro- 
ceeded to  open  the  poll,  and  after  taking  that  part  of  the  said  congregation  or  society  con- 
vened on  the  occasion  and  present  agreeable  to  said  Act— Adolph  DeGrove,  Daniel  Hud- 
son, Thomas  Palmer,  Jost^ph  Coleman,  and  Isaac  Belknap,  were  ajjpointed  and  legally 
elected  Trustees  for  the  said  congregation  or  society,  agreeable  to  the  said  Act.  2d.  We 
'hen  proceeded  to  elect  a  Clerk  to  insert  the  certificate  of  the  Re!urning  officers. 

Ik' it  remembered,  that  we,  William  Lawrence  and  Asa  Steward,  having  been  legally 
elected  and  appf)inted  the  Returning  officers  at  the  election  held  at  the  house  of  Adolph 
DeGrove,  at  Newburgh,  the  12th  day  of  August,  1784,  for  the  ])nr))ose  of  electing  Trus- 
tees for  laking  care  of  tlu;  Temporalities  of  the  ccjngregation  or  Religious  Socie*y  at  New- 
burgh, aforesaid,  agreeable  to  an  Act  entitled  "An  Act,"  \'c.,  do  hereby  certify,  Uiat 
Adolidi  DeGrove,  Daniel  Hudson,  Thomas  Palniei',  Joseph  Coleman,  and  Isaac  Belknap, 
were  legally  and  unanimously  elected  as  Trustees  for  'he  purposes  aforesaid,  and  that  the 
said  persons  so  elected,  and  their  successors  forever  hereaffer,  sliall  be  known  by  the  name, 
style  and  title  of  the  Trustt-es  of  the  Presbyterian  Congregation  at  Newbiu'gh.  In  wit- 
ness whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  the  12th  day  of  August,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1784." 

As  the  congTegation  was  quite  too  feeble  in  means  and  member- 
ship for  the  support  of  a  pastor,  it  was  resolved,  at  a  meeting  held 
8th  Feb.,  1785,  to  unite  for  tliis  purj^oss  with  the  church  of  New 
Windsor.  The  records  declare  that,  "  the  congreg'ation  assembled  at 
the  meeting  house,  William  Lawrence,  ruling  elder,  being  moderator. 
It  was  agreed 

1.  To  join  in  union  with  the  congregation  of  New  Windsor. 

2.  That  the  Trustees  for  the  congregation  of  Nev/burgh  be  empowered  to  form  a  imion 
with  the  Trustees  of  New  Windsor  congregation,  for  promoting  the  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel, not  exceeding  seven  years,  nor  under  five.'' 

A  joint  meetinjy  of  the  trustees  named  was  soon  after  held  (Feb.  11, 
1785,)  at  the  house  of  Adolph  DeGrove,  at  which  Abel  Belknaj)  j^re- 
sided.  Daniel  Hudson,  Joseph  Coleman,  Isaac  Belknap,  and  Adolph 
DeGrove,  represented  Newburgh;  and  Abel  Belknap,  Samuel  Logan, 
Leonard  NicoU,  Silas  Wliite,  Benjamin  Birdsall,  Isaac  Schultz,  and 
Samuel  Brewster,  represented  New  Windsor.  After  conversation  it 
was  "  unanimously  agreed  between  the  trustees  of  the  said  congrega- 
tions for  joining  the  union  for  seven  years." 

In  AprU,  1785,  apphcation  was  made  to  the  Presbytery  for  the 


^ 


0(),s  HISTORY  OF  NEW Bimon. 

appoiutiueut  of  ]\lr.  Close  to  be  the  stated  supply  of  both  churches. 
The  request  was  orjuited,  and  he  continued  to  labor  here  until  170G.* 
Diu'ing-  the  first  year  of  his  service,  Mr.  Close  preached  in  Ne\vburo;h 
one  third  of  his  time,  for  which  he  was  paid  £23.  He  was  succeeded 
h\  the  Rev.  Isaac  Lewis,  who  served  the  conore^ation  as  stated  supply 
until  the  sprint:^  of  1800,  when  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  of  Cooperstown.f  On  the  ()th  of  May,  1800,  the  Rev. 
Jonathan  Freeman  was  installed  pastor  of  the  united  chiu'ch,  and  the 
first  pastor  of  that  of  Newbur^li.|  He  resigned  the  charge  in  1804. 
His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Eleazer  Burnet,  who  was  ordained  and 
iustidled  pastor,  20th  Nov.  1805,§  and  who  held  the  station  until  his 
death,  in  180(j.  The  Rev.  Dr.  John  Johnston,  then  a  Hcentiate,  first 
preached  in  Newbiu"gli  about  the  time  of  Mr.  Biu'net's  decease,  and 
occasioiiiilly  sup|)lied  the  united  churches  during  the  winter  of  180(3-7. 
He  was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  on  the  5tli  August,  1807.  || 

In  the  spring  of  1810,  the  comiection  between  the  two  churches 
was  dissolved;  and  the  serWces  of  Mr.  Johnston  were  henceforth  con- 
fined to  Newburgh.  Here  he  continued  to  labor  with  unwearied  dili- 
gence and  great  svaccess  until  Febmary,  1855,  when  he  was  pros- 
trated by  severe  illness  which  subsequently  terminated  his  life. 

The  congregation  was  suppHed  during  Dr.  Johnston's  illness  and 

*  Kev.  John  Close  was  a  nativo  of  Greenwich,  Coiin.  He  was  born  in  1737,  graduated  at 
rriuceton  in  1763,  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Bnchess  county  in  1765,  and  ordain- 
ed as  colleague  of  the  Rev.  Eben  Prinie  at  Hiiiitingtou,  L.  1.,  in  1766.  He  removed  ro 
Watcrfiird  in  179(i.  and  died  there  in  \t<Vi.~ Bolton' s^  Wcatcheittei-  ('nunty.  ii.  510. 

t  In  ISOC.  Mr.  IjCwIs  was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  at  Goshen,  where  he 
remained  until  ISll  or  12.  .Vfter  laboring'  in  sundry  ])laces  as  a  stated  supply,  he  was 
settled  as  tlk'  suct-essor  of  his  father,  over  the  church  at  (Jreenwich,  Conn.,  in  1818.  After 
a  successful  ministry  of  a  few  years,  he  resigned  this  charge  and  became  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Bristol.  L.  I.  He  lost  his  voice  in  1831,  and  though  he  occasionallv  preached, 
he  was  never  again  a  pastor.  He  died  in  New  York,  -id  September,  1854,  in  liis  82d  year. 
— Sprai/Hc's  Ainials,  i,  ()67. 

I  Mr.  Freeman  was  pastor  of  the  church  of  Hopewell  (Crawford,  Orange  co.),  from 
August.  1793.  until  April,  1798,  where  his  labors  were  very  successful.  (B((/«-\s  Orange 
('oiniti/.  341.)  He  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  as  his  published  sermons 
attest ;  but  the  tone  of  his  i)reachiiig  was  perhaps  more  polemic  than  it  should  have  been, 
and  he  is  said  to  have  excited  the  bitter  hostilitv  of  the  skeptics  who  were  then  somewhat 
munerous  and  intluential.  He  resigned  his  charge  in  1804.  In  connection  with  Silvanus 
Haight,  he  conducted  "  The  Cliosophic  Hall,"  an  educational  institute,  at  his  residence  in 
Montgomery  street  (subsetpiently  the  residence  of  Samuel  Williams),  which  was  organ- 
ized in  1799.  He  was  afterwards  for  manv  vears  i)astor  of  the  rresbvterian  church  of 
Brighton,  N.  J.,  where  he  ilied  in  1824  or  '25." 

§  The  sernnui  on  this  occasion  was  preached  bv  the  Rev.  Ebenczer  Grant,  from  Malachi 
n,  6.  IMr.  Burnet  was  a  graduate  of  Princeton  college  (1799).  an  amiable,  jiious,  and  de- 
voted young  man.  but  feeble  in  health  at  the  time  ot  his  settlement.  Indeed,  he  was  even 
then  laboring  under  the  disease -consumption-  which  soon  ended  his  labors  and  his  life. 
He  was  compelled  to  seek  a  more  congenial  climate,  eiu-lv  in  the  autunui  of  1806.  On  his 
way  S(nith.  he  was  taken  so  ill  as  to  be  obliged  to  stop  at  the  house  of  a  friend  in  New 
Bnmswick,  where  he  died  on  the  22d  Nov.,  1806. 

II  '■  On  Wednes.lay,  5tli  iust.,  Mr.  John  Johnston  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  holv 
nnnistry  and  mstalled  over  the  united  congregations  of  Newburgh  and  New  Windsor.  The 
exercises  were  as  folK.ws  :  Rev.  Isaac  Van  Doren  made  the  praver  :  the  Rev.  Isaac  Lewis 
delivered  the  sermon  from  Col.  iii,  11,  "But  Clnist  is  all  in  all.-  The  Rev.  Methuselah 
i.aldwm  gave  the  charge  to  the  ordained  minister:  and  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Grant  gave  the 
charge  to  the  people.  The  several  exercises  were  appropriate  and  were  conducted  with 
great  solemnity — Political  Index,  Aug.  15,  1807. 


CIlUIiCJIES,  SCIWOLS,  ETC.  299 

until  the  summer  of  1856,  by  Mr.  S.  H.  McMuUen,  a  licentiate  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia.  On  the  20th  September  of  that  year,  the 
Rev.  W.  T.  Sprole,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  pastor,  and  on  the  28th  October 
following,  was  installed.*  He  resigned  in  July,  1872,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  W.  K.  HaU,  who  was  installed  in  October  of  that  year. 

The  building  in  which  public  worship  was  first  held,  was  one  erected 
by  the  commissary-general,  as  a  clothing  store-house,  while  the  army  of 
the  revolution  was  encamped  here.  It  stood  on  the  site  suljsequently 
occupied  by  the  old  first  church,  and  was  destroyed  by  fire  about  the 
year  1790.  Dr.  Johnston  says  it  was  burnt  on  a  Sabbath  day,  after 
seiwice  had  been  held  in  it.  From  an  inventory  of  their  (corporate 
property  in  a  return  made  to  the  legislature,f  the  l^uilding  appears  to 
have  belonged  to  the  congregation  in  1787,  and,  from  the  statement 
in  the  records  that  the  "  congregation  assembled  at  the  meeting  house  " 
(1785),  it  is  probable  that  it  was  transferred  to  them  soon  after  the  war. 

There  seems  to  have  been  some  difference  of  ojjinion  in  regard  to 
the  location  of  the  church,  after  the  old  building  was  burnt;  but,  in 
February,  1791,  the  trustees  voted  that  "the  lot  of  land  where  the 
house  formerly  stood,  with  the  addition  tliat  Mr.  Smith  proposes  to 
make,  be  accepted  in  jireference  to  any  other  location"  as  the  site  for 
a  new  church.  On  the  20th  December  of  the  same  year,  the  trustees 
agreed  to  erect  a  church  50x55  feet,  with  tlie  addition  of  a  steeple.  | 
The  ground  was  staked  out  on  the  25th  May,  1792,  and  on  the  31st 
of  the  same  month  the  deed  for  the  lot  was  executed  by  Mr.  Benja- 
min Smith.  §  During  the  interval  between  the  destruction  of  the  old 
building  and  the  occupation  of  the  new  church,  the  minutes  state 
that  the  meetings  of  the  congregation  were  "held  at  St.  Greorge's 
church " — i.  e.  the  old  Lutheran  (;hur(-h.  The  new  building  must 
have  been  occupied  in  1793,  as  it  is  of  record  that  during  that  year 
pews  were  erected  and  sold.     But  the  interior  of  the  l)iiilding  re- 


*  The  services  were  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bowers,  Mo(lerat(jr  of  the  PreHbytery. 
The  discourse  was  delivered  by  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips,  of  Rond(jnt,  from  Exodus  xxxii,  15, 16. 
The  charge  to  the  pastor  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jag^^er,  of  Marlborough,  and  the 
charge  to  the  peojile  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Huiuller,  of  Kingston. 

t  The  inventory  iS  as  follows,  viz: 

"  Meeting  house  church  out  of  repair, £40 

Land  belonging  thereto,  200  by  160  feet, 60— £100." 

X  This  steeple  was  at  tirst  simply  a  square  tower  which  stood  on  the  south  side  of  the 
chur(;h,  and  form(;d  the  entrance  into  the  gallery  until  1828.  A  rude  drawing  of  the 
building,  on  a  map  of  the  property  of  Thomas  Golden,  made  in  1797,  represents  an  en- 
trance to  the  main  building  near  the  center  of  the  east  side;  but  whether  this  waH  the 
main  (entrance  or  not  is  not  known. 

§  The  deed  referred  to  shows  the  grant  by  Benjamin  Smith  to  Christopher  Van  Duzer, 
Selah  Reeve,  John  DuB(jis,  Daniel  Smith,  and  Derick  Amerman,  "for  and  in  consideration 
of  the  sum  of  five  shillings,"  of  a  part  of  the  farm  wliereon  tlie  grantor  then  resided, 
being  a  lot  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  feet  by  one  hundred  feet,  on  tlie  corner  of  Mont- 
gomery and  First  streets,  "for  the  proper  use,  benefit  and  V>ehoof  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Newburgh,  provided  that  they  shall  erect  a  building  thereon  for  the  use  and 
accommodation  (jf  the  Presbyterian  church  and  congregation  at  Newburgh,  and  to  no  other 
use  whatsoever,  unless  the  Ministers  and  Elders  of  said  church  shall  thereto  consent." 


300 


II TS  TORY  OF  NEW  BUR  GIL 


maiued  in  a  half  tinislied  condition  until  after  the  settlement  of  Dr. 
Johnston,  who  says  that  it  was  without  gallery,  plastering,  or  pulpit, 
"a  mere  shell."  " I  often  preached  standing  on  a  carjjenters  bench 
with  a  few  l)oards  standing  in  fi-ont  on  which  to  rest  the  precious 
Bible."*  Very  soon  after  Dr.  Johnston  was  settled,  the  interior  was 
pjToperly  fitted  up,  and  made  more  tenantable.  In  1828  an  unsuc- 
cessful effort  was  made 
to  erect  a  new  church  of 
stone,  66x70  feet,  at  a 
cost  not  exceeding  $9,- 
000.  Finally,  as  more 
accommodation  was  im- 
peratively demanded,  it 
w  as  determined  to  repair 
the  old  building,  which 
was  done  in  1828.  For- 
merly the  pulpit  was  at 
the  north  end,  and  the 
pews  were  old  fashioned 
s  q  u  a  V  o  ones.  Though 
the  audience  room  was 
unchanged  in  size,  the 
introduction  of  slips  en- 
abled it  to  hold  a  larger 
1  number  than  it  did  be- 
i-iKST  PKESBYiEuiAN  cHi'KCH— 1828.  fore.f     Undcr  this  alter- 

ation the  building  remained  until  its  removal  in  July,  1871. 

On  the  25th  July,  1857,  the  trustees,  at  a  regular  meeting,  adopted 
the  following  preamble  and  resolutions: 

"  Whereas,  Thu  ciiciinistanccs  of  the  church  and  coiigrcijatioii  render  it  imperative  that  a 
new  edifice  l)e  erected  fer  tlieir  accommodation,  and  havint;;  the  assent  and  concurrence  of 
the  pew-holders  and  members,  as  appears  from  the  subscriptions  for  said  object,  tlierefore 

"  Itesolved,  Tliat  we  proceed  to  accomphsh  the  same,  according  to  tlie  phm  and  speci- 
fications drawn  l)y  Mr.  F.  V.  Withers,  wliich  has  been  i'.ubmitted  for  the  consideration 
and  ado|)tion(>f  tiie  subscribers;  and  that  the  foUowing  persons  be  a  liuikhng  C'Ommit- 
tee  to  supervise  the  same  and  carrv  it  forward,  viz:  S.  R.  Van  Duzer,  E.  K.  Johues,  J.  J. 
Monell,  Henry  Ball,  Isaac  Stanton,"  and  George  Clark.  • 

"  Resolved,  That  the  church  edifice  be  erecti'd  upon  the  lot  on  the  north-west  corner  of 
Grand  and  South  streets." 

*  Mr.  Eager  relates  (Hist.  Or.  Co.,  1-i-t),  that  at  the  time  of  the  erection  of  this  church 
the  congregation  "  was  too  i)oor  to  finish  and  place  pews  in  it,"  and  tliat  the  pku  devised 
to  seat  it  was,  "  tliat  every  person  who  clukse  to  do  so  should  have  the  privilege  of  putting 
up  iheir  own  pews  wiMi  a  choice!  of  location  for  so  doing.  Tlu'  first  person  availing  him- 
si'll  of  tins  privilege  was  Mr.  John  McAulav,  whose  example  was  soon  followed  bv  Jlr. 
Hugh  \\alsh  and  Mr.  Richard  Wood.  Others  at  intervals,  did  the  same,  and  received 
deeds.  This  erection  of  seats  went  on  for  some  tune,  and  pews  were  scattered  around  the 
buildnig  without  reference  to  order  or  taste.  Finally  the  congregation  took  hold  of  the 
matter  and  eomiileted  and  systematized  the  work." 

t  The  Session  House  or  Lecture  Room  was  built  about  1812,  {Memorial,  105),  but  it  was 
not  fitted  up  with  permanent  seats  until  1828.  It  was  removed  after  the  eomuletion  of 
the  present  Union  Church. 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC 


301 


The  site  fixed  upon  was  purchased,  and  a  contract  was  made  with 
Mr.  George  Veitch,  builder,  for  the  construction  of  the  new  edifice  for 
$27,500.  The  work  was  beo-un  on  the  8th  of  August,  1857.  The 
building  was  dedicated  November  4th,  1858,*  and  on  Thanksgiving 
morning  (Nov.  10),  the  iron  cross  was  fixed  on  the  si:)ire. 

The  building  is  in  the  early  geometrical  style  of  Gothic  art,  and 
is  composed  of  a 
nave  with  clere- 
story, north  and 
south  aisle,  a 
tower  and  stone 
spire  at  the  east 
end  of  the  north 
aisle,  and  a  porch 
on  the  south. — 
A  lecture  room 
and  a  minister's 
room  are  provi- 
ded at  the  west 
end  of  the  build- 
ing. Tlic  walls 
are  of  blue  stone 
laid  in  random 
courses,  and 
gray  stone  dres- 


FIRST    PBKSBYTEIilAN    CHI'IK  H  —  1S5.H. 


sings  to  the  copings,  windows,  doorways,  buttresses,  water-tables,  &c. 
The  pews  are  of  yellow  pine,  and  aftbrd  comfortable  accommodations 
for  830  persons.  The  principal  dimensions  of  the  building,  internally, 
are  as  follows,  viz:  nave,  97  feet  long,  60  feet  high,  and  25  feet  wide. 
The  aisles  are  84  feet  long  and  17  feet  wide.  The  lectiu-e  room  is 
42  feet  long  and  26  feet  wide.  The  tower  is  20  feet  and  8  inches 
square  at  the  base,  and  its  height  is  63  feet,  making,  vdth  the  spire 
and  cross,  a  total  of  135  feet  from  the  ground.  The  extreme  length 
of  the  building,  including  lecture  room,  is  159  feet;  and  its  width,  in- 
cluding porch,  85  feet.     The  total  cost  of  the  building,  with  interior 


*  The  dedicatory  services  were  conducted  by  the  Presbytery  of  North  River,  and  were 
opened  by  the  Rev.  B.  F.  Phillips,  of  Rondout,  in  a  short  Invocation,  which  was  followed 
by  the  sentence,  "  Holy,  Lord  God  of  Habaoth,"  by  the  choir.  The  Rev.  .John  Lillie,  D. 
D.,  of  Kingston,  then  read  the  132d  Psalm;  after  which  the  choir  san^'  the  Anthem.  "  And 
it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days  that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  House  shall  be  es- 
tabUshed."  The  Rev.  Mr.  Lillie  then  addressed  the  Throne  of  Grace  in  an  earnest  prayer; 
and  the  congrepjation  joined  in  singing  Hym  509,  "  How  beautious  are  their  feet,"  &<•. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips  then  delivered  the  dedication  sermon  from  the  text,  Mat.  xxvi,  8, 
"  To  what  purpose  is  this  waste  ?"  Rev.  Doct.  Sprolc  followed  in  a  few  brief  remarks, 
showing  the  necessity  that  had  compelled  the  erection  of  the  new  edifice;  and  after  con- 
cluding, made  an  impressive  dedicatory  prayer.  The  choir  then  sang  the  anthem,  ''  How- 
beautiful  in  Zion,"  and  the  audience  was  dismissed  with  the  benediction. 


:^()2 


in  STORY  OF   NEWBlUUni. 


fittings  complete,  including  land,  iron  fence,  bell,  &c.,  was  about 
$43,750.  An  organ,  buOt  by  Geo.  Jardine  &  Son,  of  New  York,  and 
costing  $3,000,  was  obtained  in  September,  1860.  It  only  remains  to 
add,  that  the  congregation  resolved  to  sell  their  old  place  of  worship, 
which  was  accordingly  done  to  the  Union  Church  in  March,  1859. 

SECOND    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

The  proposiil  to  organize  a  Second  Presb>i;erian  Church  was  lirst 
discussed  in  1837,  but  nothing  was  done  until  April,  1838,  when  Dr. 
Johnston  preached  an  earnest  and  forcible  sermon  on  the  subject.  At 
his  suggestion,  a  meeting  was  held  to  consider  the  propriety  of  send- 
ing a  colony  from  the  old  church.  The  meeting  was  held  in  the  first 
chiirch.  May  15, 1837,  William  Walsh  being  chainnan,  and  J.  H.  Wells, 
secretary.  After  discussion,  it  was  unanimously  "  Resolved,  That 
measui'es  be  immediately  taken  to  forward  the  enterprise." 

Accordingly  Messrs.  J.  H.  Corwin,  Abel  Belknap,  and  O.  M.  Smith, 

were  appointed  a  committee  to  ascertain  the  number  of  persons  willing 

to  unite  for  this  purpose.     On  the  2'2d  May,  at  an  adjourned  meeting, 

the  following  named  persons  were  reported  as  ready  to  associate  and 

walk  together  as  a  chiu'ch,  viz: 

Abel  Belknap, 
Sarah  M.  Belkna}: 
Hcury  Tice,  Jr., 
Charlotte  Tice, 
Edgar  Perkins, 


0.  M.  Smith, 
Helen  M.  Smith, 
Saml.  Tiithill, 
Sarah  TiithOl, 
Jeflerson  Roe, 
Mary  Roe, 
Eliza  C.  Boice, 
Wni.  H.  Wells, 
Robert  Sterling, 
Isabella  Sterling, 
Asa  Sterling, 


.John  H.  Cormn, 
Cyntlia  Corwin, 
.Tas  P.  Buchanan, 
Sarah  Buchanan, 
Daniel  D.  T.  Blake, 
D.  McDowall, 
Abigail  Waters, 
J.  R.  Hartlenburgh, 
Wni.  M.  Johnson, 
Jane  E.  Johuson, 
Eli  Corwin,  Jr., 


Ann  Forsyth, 
Abigail  Wells, 
William  Waller, 
Henry  Vail, 
Seth  Belknap, 
Geo.  M.  Gregory, 


Hiram  K.  Chapman, 
Jane  Chapman, 
Peter  H.  Foster, 
Mary  S.  Foster, 
Wm.  Townsend, 
Lydia  C.  Parkham, 
George  T.  Hoagland, 
Betsev  Harris, 
Mary'E.  Waterfield, 
Jas.H.  Reynor, 
Job  Clark. 


It  was  immediately  and  unanimously  resolved  to  apply  to  the  Pres- 
bytery, which  was  to  meet  on  the  9th  of  June,  for  an  organization 
as  the  Second  Presb;\^erian  Church  of  Newbiu-gh.  Mr.  William 
Sterling  was  deputed  to  present  the  application  and  to  ask  for  sup- 
phes  for  six  months  from  the  Presbytery.  The  request  was  granted, 
and  the  church  was  organized  on  the  15th  June,  by  a  committee  of 
the  North  River  Presbytery,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Johnston, 
Prime,  and  Ostrum.  The  follo-ndng  persons  were  chosen  i-uling 
elders,  viz:  J.  H.  Corwin,  Hii'am  K.  Chapman,  Abel  Belknap,  Jas.  P. 
Buchanan.  Mr.  Ostrom  gave  the  charge  to  the  church,  and  Mr.  S.  I. 
Prime  to  the  elders. 

The  first  public  serWce  was  held  in  the  coui*t  room  in  the  academy, 
when  Rev.  S.  I.  Prime  preached  from  Amos  vii,  5,  "By  whom  shall 
Jacob  arise,  for  he  is  small."  The  pulpit  was  for  some  time  suppUed 
by  the  Presb;ji;ery.  On  the  20th  August,  Messrs.  Peter  H.  Foster, 
Jefferson  Roe,  Edgar  Perkins,  Samuel  Tuthill,  O.  M.  Smith,  and 
Henry  Tice,  Jr.,  were  chosen  trustees. 


CHURCnKS,  SCHOOLS,  ETC. 


308 


During  the  greater  part  of  1838  and  '39,  the  Rev.  Al^ram  C.  Bald- 
win supphed  the  pulpit.  In  the  former  year  the  prospects  of  the 
infant  chvirc;h  were  very  seriously  aflfected  by  the  disruption  of  the 
Presbytery.  Most  of  those  concerned  in  starting  it,  who  had  strong 
Old  School  affinities,  returned  again  to  the  old  church,  whi(-h  adliered 
to  the  O.  S.  Assembly.  The  second  church  recognized  that  which 
styled  itself  the  constitutional.  Though  weakened  by  this  cause,  the 
church  made  vigorous  eflbrts  to  grow.  The  Rev.  William  Hill  was 
the  first  pastor,  and  filled  the  office  until  the  winter  of  1843,  when  he 
was  deposed  by  his  Presbytery  for  what  was  deemed  heretical  doc- 
trine on  the  subject  of  christian  perfection.  After  a  vacancy  of  some 
months,  the  Rev.  John  H.  Lewis  became  the  pastor,  and  discharged 
the  duties  of  the  office  very  acceptably  until  called  to  Bethlehem  in 
1845.  He  was  succeeded,  for  a  short  time,  by  the  Rev.  J.  C  Beach, 
and  next  l:)y  the  Rev.  John  Gray  who  remained  as  supply  until  the 
spring  of  1851,  when  a  division  arose  in  the  congregation  on  the  ques- 
tion of  his  settlement  as  pastor.  Before  this  matter  was  adjusted,  a 
vote  of  the  church  was  taken,  and,  by  a  majority  of  onp,  it  was  re- 
solved no  longer  to  receive  sup- 
plies. This  vote  closed  the  doors 
of  the  meeting  house  and  virtu- 
ally disbanded  the  society,  which 
had  never  become  strong. 

In  1840-'41,  the  society  erect- 
ed the  meeting  house  at  the 
comer  of  High  street  and  West- 
em  avenue,  at  a  cost  of  $6,600, 
in  which  divine  worship  was  ob- 
sei'ved  until  the  church  ceased 
to  exist.  The  bviilding  was  de- 
signed to  accommodate  about 
six  himdred  persons.  It  was 
sold,  in  1852,  to  the  Second  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

CALVARY   PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

The  cii'cumstances  which  led  to  the  organization  of  this  congrega- 
tion, as  well  as  its  subsequent  history,  are  briefly  stated  in  a  historical 
sketch  which  was  published  by  the  trustees,  in  connection  with  their 
annual  report,  August  1857.  In  this  paper  it  is  said  that  the  Rev. 
S.  H.  McMiillin,  who  had  served  as  supply  during  the  illness  of  the 
pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  performed  the  duties  of  his 
engagement  until  about  three  months  after  Dr.  Johnston's  death. 
After  hearing  several  other  candidates  for  the  vacant  pastorate,  "a  day 
was  fixed,"  says  the  sketch  to  which  reference  is  made,  "  on  which,  ac- 


KK((JNI)    I'liKSIiYTEIilAN    IHIIKH  —  ll-(41. 


304  HISTORY  OF  NEWS  URGE. 

cording"  to  notice  given,  the  congregation  were  to  select  a  pastor. 
"WTien,  however,  all  had  assembled,  a  question  arose  as  to  whether 
females  should  be  permitted  to  vote,  which  was  decided  in  the  affirm- 
ative. The  vote  was  taken  and  restdted,  one  hundred  for  Mr.  McMul- 
hn  and  seventy-four  for  another  person.  Messrs.  William  K.  Mailler 
and  Robert  Sterling  were  then  appointed  commissioners  to  prosecute 
the  call  before  the  Presbytery ;  and  the  meeting  adjourned. 

"  At  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  when  the  caU  was  considered, 
a  remonstranc^e  was  presented,  by  the  minority  of  the  congregation, 
against  the  settlement  of  Mr.  McMullin.  In  consequence  of  this  re- 
monstrance, the  Presbytery  intimated  to  the  commissioners  that  they 
would  not,  in  all  probability,  permit  the  call  to  be  prosecuted  ;  and  it 
was  withdrawn  without  any  formal  action  being  taken. 

"Immediately  after  the  return  of  the  commissioners,  a  meeting  of 
the  congregation  was  held  to  hear  their  report;  when  it  was  resolved, 
by  a  majority  of  votes  present,  "that  the  commissioners  be  directed  to 
prosecute  the  call."  The  Presbytery,  however,  continued  to  regard 
the  caU  asincxpcdicnt ;  and  a  meeting,  called  for  the  purpose  of  its 
consideration,  faiLd  to  accomplish  the  result  desu'ed. 

"The  situation  of  aftaii's  becoming  known,  the  following  paper 
asking  for  certificates  of  membershii")  and  dismission,  was  presented 
to  the  Session  of  the  Church  on  the  27th  day  of  August: 

"  To  (he  Sessio)!.  of  thr  First  Prcsbiiterlan  Church  of  Ihe  Village  of  Xeirhiin/li,  : 

The  andersigncd,  Tiumbers  in  full  cominnnion  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  the 
Village  of  NewiinrRli,  do  horohv  respectfully  rtiquest  yon  to  grant  them  cortiticates  of 
membership  and  dismission,  f(u-  the  purpose  of  being  organized  into  a  Church,  to  be 

known  as  the Presbyterian  Church  of  the  Village  of  Ncwburgh: 

John  McClelland.  Mary  Albertson,  E.  L.  Spalding,  Eliza  Rogers, 

Abigail  W.  McClelland, Alexander  Hargrave.  Catharine  Sly,  Jerusha  Gerard, 

James  C.  McClelland,  Mary  Ann  Hargrave,    M.  W.  N.  Johnston,      Sarah  Ludlow, 
Sally  R.  Logan,  Amcha  Birdsall,  Robert  Wallace,  Delia  Smith, 

Abby  L.  Scott,  Wm.  (I.  Crillespie,         Marv  Ann  Wallace,      Hugh  S.  Banks, 

J.  Ferguson,  Wm.  McClughan,         Marv  G.  Starr,  Ros;xlie  H.  Banks, 

Sarah  McElrath,  Mary  D.  McClughan,  Eliza.  P.  Spior,  Hugh  MeKissock, 

Anna  Pettie,  Hannah  Andruss,         Sarah  Waugh,  Agiies  MeKissock, 

Anna  M.  Clugston,       Mary  Burnett,  L.  Bradford,  Laura  A.  Gorham, 

Margaret  Strachan,     Catharine  Hamilton,     Eunice  McKune,  Rachael  Clugston, 

Amanda  L.  DuBois,    Anna  E.  Roe,  Rebecca  Brown,  Sarah  Hildrcth, 

Elizabeth  Blake. 

"On  the  first  day  of  Sejitember,  185G,  the  church  Extension  Com- 
mittee of  the  Presb_>i,ery  of  North  River,  met  in  the  session  room  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  cluu-ch:  Present— B.  T.  Phillips,  Wm.  H.  Kirk, 
F.  T.  Wilhams,  ministers;  and  Peter  V.  B.  Fowler  and  Benj.  Tyler, 
elders.  The  petition  of  the  persons  above  named  was  presented, 
asking  to  be  organized  into  a  Presbyterian  chiu-ch,  to  be  known  as 
"The  Calvaiy  Presbv-terian  Chiu'ch  of  Newburgh  ;"  and,  after  the  ex- 
amination of  theu-  certificates,  it  was,  on  motion,  "Resolved,  That  the 
request  be  granted."  The  applicants  then  formally  agreed  and  cove- 
nanted to  walk  together  in  a  chui-ch  relation,  according  to  the  ac- 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,   ETC  305 

knowledged  doctrine  and  order  of  tlie  Presbyterian  chiircli.  Messrs. 
Wm.  G.  Gillespie  and  John  McClelland  were  then  unanimously  elected 
ruling  elders,  by  the  congregation.  Mr.  Gillespie  was  duly  ordained; 
and  Mr.  McClelland  and  Mr.  Gillespie  (the  former  having  previously 
served  as  an  elder  in  the  First  Presbyterian  chm-ch)  were  formally 
installed  as  elders  of  the  Calvaiy  Presbyterian  church  of  Newburgh. 

"On  the  15th  day  of  September,  Rev.  S.  H.  McMvillin  was  unani- 
mously elected  pastor  of  the  church.  The  call  was  presented  to  him 
at  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery,  held  at  Buttermilk  Falls  on  Tuesday, 
October  7th,  and  accepted  by  him;  and,  on  the  16th  day  of  the  same 
month,  lie  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  and  in- 
stalled pastor  of  the  c^hurch,  in  the  Coui-t-house  at  Newburgh.  The 
services  on  the  occasion  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr.  Jones  of  Phila- 
delphia, who  preached  the  sermon;  Rev.  E.  K.  Brower,  who  offered 
the  ordaining  prayer  and  proposed  the  constitutional  questions;  Rev. 
B.  T.  Phillips,  who  gave  the  charge  to  the  people;  and  Rev.  F.  R. 
Masters,  who  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor. 

"  On  the  20th  October,  an  election  for  trustees  was  held  in  the  Coturt- 

house — elders  John  McClelland  and    Wm.  G.  Gillespie  presiding 

which  resxilted  in  the  choice  of  Messrs.  Moses  Upright,  Wm.  K. 
Mailler,  Walter  H.  Gorham,  Wessel  S.  Gerard,  Peter  Ward  and 
Charles  Johnston. 

"  The  first  meeting  of  the  Session  of  the  church  was  held  on  Friday 
evening,  0(^tober  17th,  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  C.  Sly,  in  High  street. 
At  the  meeting  of  the  Session,  on  the  31st  October,  the  following  per- 
sons were  admitted  on  profession  of  faith :  Mrs.  E.  C.  Gillespie,  Mrs. 
M.  A.  Casement,  Miss  M.  Casement;  and  the  following  by  certificate: 

Asa  Sterling,  Wm.  K.  Mailler,  Susan  A.  Jessup,  Julianna  Tyler, 

Phcebe  E.  Sterling,  Hannah  P.  Mailler,  Margaret  Shields,.  Mary  Bovd 

Margaret  Sterling,  Mary  E.  Halstead,  Jane  Shields,  Marietta'Watkins, 

Mary  Sterling,  Zipporah  Clark,  John  Little,  Jane  Ellen  Roe 

Nancy  Sterling,  Ann  Barr,  Ann  Little,  Maria  Minor 

Robert  Sterling,  John  L.  Westervelt,  Isabella  M.  McMullin,  Deborah  Blake 

Maria  Sterling,  Catharine  Westervelt,  Benj.  Tyler,  Wni.and  Sarah  Gervin. 

"The  first  communion  of  the  church  was  celebrated  on  the  first 
Sabbath  in  November,  1856,  at  which  time  the  membership  had 
reached  eighty-one. 

"Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  chiu-ch,  it  was  determined  to 
erect  a  suitable  edifice — the  pubhc  services,  in  the  meantime,  being 
held  in  the  Court-house.  A  subscription  was  opened  and  a  sufficient 
sum  subscribed,  during  the  winter  of  1856,  to  justify  the  trustees  in 
purchasing  a  site  on  Liberty  street,  and  procuring  a  plan  for  the 
building.  From  different  plans  which  were  submitted,  one  drawn  by 
Messrs.  Gerard  &  Boyd  was  selected;  and  estimates  having  been  in- 
vited, the  contract  for  erecting  the  building  was  awarded  to  Mr.  John 


020 


306 


HISTORY  OF  XEWBURGH. 


Little.  A  Iniildino-  oommittee  of  throe  trustees,  viz:  Messrs.  Mailler, 
Gorham  and  AVard,  was  appointed ;  and  Mr.  AVithers,  architect,  was 
enn:af}:ed  to  superintend  the  work.  The  gToiind  was  broken  in  the 
month  of  April,  IcSf)?  ;  and  the  corner-stone  laid,  with  appropriate 
exercises,  on  the  9th  of  July  following,  at  2  P.  M.  The  services  com- 
menced by  sinpfino^  the  hymn  entitled,  "Beyond  the  starry  skies." 
Rev.  Dr.  McLaren  followed  -vnth  a  very  appropriate  address  to  the 
Throne  of  Grace,  and  a  portion  of  the  Scriptures  was  read  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  McCarrell.  Chas.  Johnston,  on  behalf  of  the  trustees,  then  read 
a  statement  showing:  the  oroanization  and  progress  of  the  church, 
which  was  followed  by  the  hymn,  "Let  every  heart  rejoice  and  sing-." 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Crowell,  of  Philadelphia,  then  delivered  an  address, 
which  was  followed  by  the  lading  of  the  corner-stone  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 

Forsyth,  who,  on 
account  of  the  ill 
health  of  Mr.  Mc- 
^^^'i  IMullin,  had  been 
selected  by  the 
trastees  for  that 
duty.  Dr.  For- 
syth introduced 
the  ceremony  by 
a  short  address, 
and  was  followed 
by  Rev.  Alex.  R. 
Thom])son.  The 
exercises  c*l  osed 
with  an  anthem 
by  the  choir,  and 
1 1  h  e  benediction 
by  Dr.  Fors^-th. 
The  building  was 
dedicated  on  the 
24:thof  February, 
1858.  The  servi- 
ces were  opened 
by  an  antliem  by 
the  choir,  and  in- 
vocation b  y  the 
pastor.   The  Rev. 

Dr.  Sprole  tlien  read  a  selection  from  the  Scriptm-es,  which  was  follow- 
ed by  .singing  the  5(Utli  hymn.     Prayer  was  then  offered  by  Rev.  Dr. 


I   Vl.\  VUV    lUKMlVTKHlAN'    CHl'IilH — IH'lS 


McCan-ell,  and  the  502d  liy 


mn  sung. 


Rev.  Dr.  Murray,  of  Elizabeth, 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  307 


N.  J.,  then  delivered  a  discourse  from  1st  Kings,  vi:4,  and  vii:63.  At 
the  (conclusion,  the  congelation  arose,  and,  with  impressive  words, 
the  speaker  dedi(;ated  the  house  to  the  worship  of  God.  The  services 
were  concluded  with  prayer  Ijy  the  pastor,  and  the  sinj^inj^  of  a  hymn. 

"The  style  of  the  church  edifice  is  that  sometimes  known  among 
architects  as  Flemish,  having,  however,  many  of  the  peculiarities  of 
th(!  Gothic.  It  has  a  front  of  50  feet  on  Liberty  street,  running  back 
to  the  depth  of  9(5  feet,  with  a  lecture-room  in  the  rear.  The  audi- 
ence room  is  72  by  52  feet — the  lecture-room  62  by  22  feet.  The 
aspect  of  the  interior  is  that  of  severe  simi^licity.  A  trestle-work 
supports  the  roof,  obviating  the  necessity  of  pillars,  thus  affording  an 
unoljstructed  view  from  every  part  of  the  house.  All  the  wood-work 
is  grained,  the  pews  being  of  <rhestnut  oiled  and  grained  so  as  to  re- 
tain the  natural  color  and  grain  of  the  wood;  and  the  finish  through- 
out has  a  pleasing  eff(^(;t.  The  cpst  of  the  ])ULlding,  lot,  fencing,  fur- 
niture, (fee.,  was  about  $21,500." 

Mr.  McMullin  continued  in  pastoral  relation  with  the  chtu-cli  until 
January  24,  18(50,  when,  in  c(msequence  of  iU  health,  lie  tendered  his 
resignation,  to  take  effect  May  following.  On  the  19th  December,  of 
the  same  year,  llev.  Judson  H.  Hojikins  was  installed,  .and  subse- 
quently served  until  July,  1H04,  when,  at  his  request  tlu;  relation  was 
dissolved.  He  was  without  a  successor  until  March,  18(i(i,  when  the 
Rev.  George  S.  Bishop,  of  Tnnton,  N.  J.,  was  installed,  juid  contin- 
ued in  the  relation  untU  October,  1872,  when,  at  his  own  request,  and 
by  consent  of  the  church,  he  was  relieved  of  the  charge  by  the  Pres- 
bytery. His  successor,  ReA-.  Jeremiah  Sciarle,  of  Peekskill,  was  elected 
in  February,  and  installed  May  6,  1878. 

To  its  real  estate  the  society  added,  in  18(57,  a  parsonage  at  a  cost 
of  ij;9,000;  and,  to  its  appointments,  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Bishop,  an  organ  and  a  bell. 

UNION    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

This  church  was  founded  July  18,  1887,  by  a  colony  of  twenty- 
seven  persons  who  belonged  to  the  First  Associate  Reformed  Church. 
Their  names  are  as  follows: 

E.  W.  FarrinKton,  Mrs.  Farringtoii,  .lariics  Blacklaw,  Mrs.  Blacklaw, 

Thornton  M.  Niven,  Mrs.  Niven,  .Tames  Danskin,  Mrs.  Danskin, 

.John  Wise,  Mrs.  Wise,  Stewart  Kelly,  Mrs.  Kelly, 

John  Beverirtge,  Mrs.  Beveridffe,  .John  .James  Monell,  Miss  E.  Cypher, 

Arnold  McNear,  Mrs.  McNear,  Mrs.  E.  Purdy,  Miss  C.  Anderson. 

James  Johnson,  Mrs.  .Johnson,  Mrs.  Catharine  Stewart 

Matthew  Sims,  Mrs.  Sims,  Mrs.  X.  Barclay, 

The  meeting  for  organization  was  held  in  the  First  Associate  Re- 
formed church  (July  13),  and  was  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr.  McJimpsey 
and  Rev.  James  Mairs,  constituting  a  committee  of  the  Presbytery, 
The  sermon  was  by  Dr.  McJimpsey  from  John  xvi:7.     The  following 


•M)H 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


'•;:-<"■ 


persons  were  elected  as  ruling-  elders,  viz:  John  Beveridpfe,  E.  Ward 
Farrino-ton,  Thornton  M.  Niven,  John  Wise.  On  the  5th  of  Decem- 
ber follo'\\dno-,  the  Ecw  John  Forsyth,  Jr.,  was  installed  pastor — the 
services  being  held  in  the  Academy,  where  the  congregation  met  for 
worship  until  the  completion  of  the  church  edifice.  The  Rev.  Dr. 
McJimpsey  preached  the  sermon;  the  Rev.  Drs.  Wallace  and  McLaren 
gave  the  charges  to  the  people  and  the  pastor. 

A  church  edifice  was 
erected  on  a  lot  at  the 
corner  of  Water  and 
Clinton  streets,  which 
had  been  given  to  the 
c  •  I  >  n '  n*  ^'  n;'  'T- 1  i  o  n  for  this 
pur|)ost>.  Ground  was 
broken  on  the  \Tii\\  July, 
1887,  nnd  the  building 
was  dedicated  on  the  1st 
d;iy  of  May,  ISJiS,  when 
a  suitable  sermon  was 
delivered  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
M.  N.  McLaren,  then  of 
Here  the  congregation  continued  to  worship  until 
IVIarch,  1851),  when  the  property  was  sold  to  the  rector  and  vestry  of 
8t.  George's  church.  The  last  time  it  was  used  by  Union  church, 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  first  pastor,  Dr.  Forsyth. 

Dr.  Fors;v'th  was  elected  to  a  professorship  in  the  College  of  New 
Jersey  at  the  end  of  the  year  1846,  but  he  did  not  retire  from  the  pas- 
torate until  near  the  autumn  of  1847.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mr. 
Al>raham  R.  Van  Nest,  a  recent  gTaduate  of  the  Theological  Seminary 
at  New  Brunswick,  who  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  on  the 
2()th  of  June,  1848.  Mr.  Van  Nest  erniained  here  about  a  year.  He 
was  called  by  the  Reformed  Dutch  church,  2 1st  street.  New  York,  and 
having  accepted  the  invitation  he  removed  thither  in  the  spring  of 
1845).  Almost  immediately  upon  his  departure,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Robert 
McOartee,  formerly  of  Canal  street  church,  but  at  this  time  of  Goshen, 
was  called,  and,  having  accepted  the  invitation,  Avas  installed  Aug.  17, 
1841).  Dr.  McCartee  labored  here  Avith  gTeat  acceptance  and  success 
until  1855,  when  he  removed  to  New  York  to  take  the  pastorate 
of  the  25th  street  A.  R.  church.  Union  clmrch  was  supjihed  by 
vai-ious  persons  during  the  first  six  months  or  more  after  Dr.  Mc- 
Cartee's  removal,  pai-ticularly  hy  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cunningham.  Finally, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Jack — who  had  graduated  in  the  Seminary  in  the  spring 
of  1856— was  called,  ordained,  and  instiilled  June  2d,  1856,  by  the 


Hamptonburgh 


UNION  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH-1876. 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC  309 


Presbytery  of  New  York.  On  this  occasion  the  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  John  Brash,  of  New  York,  who  also  proposed  the  usual 
questions  to  the  candidate,  and  offered  the  ordaininf?  prayer.  The 
charge  to  the  j^astor  was  s"iven  by  the  Rev.  G.  M.  McEachron  of  Mon- 
gauj)  Valley;  and  that  to  the  peojjle  by  Rev.  Dr.  Forsyth.  Mr.  Jack 
was  succeeded  in  1869,  by  Rev.  Wendell  Prime,  and  the  latter  by  Rev. 
C.  C.  Hall  who  was  ordained  and  installed  December  2d,  1875. 

In  October,  1859,  in  consequence  of  the  union  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed and  the  Associate  chvirches,  out  of  which  the  United  Presby- 
terian chiu'ch  grew,  the  congTegation  of  Union  church  was  induced 
to  unite  with  the  Old  School  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and 
is  now  a  component  pai*t  of  that  body. 

The  old  Fii-st  Presbyterian  edifice  was  purchased  in  March,  1859, 
by  the  Union  church,  and  was  occupied  by  the  society  until  July,  1871, 
when  it  was  removed  to  give  place  to  the  present  edifice.  The  work 
of  removal  was  begun  on  the  5th  of  July,  1871,  and  on  the  13th  the 
last  timbers  of  the  old  house  were  prostrated.*  The  corner-stone  of 
the  new  edifice  was  laid  on  Friday,  Sept.  15th,  following.  The  exer- 
cises were  conducted  by  the  Masonic  fraternity,  G.  Fred  Wiltsie 
ofii dating  as  Grand  Master  of  the  "Grand  Lodge  of  Ceremony." 
The  dedication  was  on  Tuesday,  Sept.  24th,  1872,  on  which  occasion 
the  service  was  opened  wdtli  prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Forsyth.  Rev.  Dr. 
Ormiston  read  the  48th  Psalm,  and  the  Rev.  Wendell  Prime  the  ded- 
icatory- prayer.  The  discoui'se  was  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hall,  from  2  Peter 
iii — 2;  the  closing  prayer  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Wakeley.f 

The  edifice  is  of  Gothic  architecture  from  i:)lans  by  Elkanah  K. 
Shaw,  of  Newbui-gh.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  T,  and  embraces  an  aud- 
itoriiun  Avith  gaUeiy  and  Sabbath-school  and  lecture  rooms.  The 
auditorium  fronting  on  First  street,  is  61  feet  wide  by  68  feet  deep, 
30  feet  ceiling,  and  has,  with  the  gallery,  a  seating  capacity  of  1000. 
The  Sabbath-school  room,  fronting  on  Montgomery^  street,  is  33  by 
81  feet,  22  feet  ceHing,  mth  seating  for  600  pui^ils.  The  lecture-room 
is  27  by  57  feet,  15  feet  ceihng,  seating  3(J0 — total  seating  capacity 
1900.  The  windows  throughout  are  of  stained  glass;  the  painting  is 
in  fresco;  the  pews  of  chestnut-walnut  oiled,  and  the  entire  finish 
cheerful.  The  walls  of  the  building  are  of  hard  smooth  brick  with 
brown-stone  trimmings.  The  First  street  front  has  two  towers  18x18, 
the  east  100,  and  the  west  75  feet  in  height;  the  former  contains  the 

*  "  On  Thursday,  July  13th,  1871,  at  precisely  10  o'clock  in  the  morning,  our  old  church 
yielded  its  last  "  bent"  to  the  workmen  engaged  in  its  removal,  and  it  is  now  numbered 
with  the  things  that  were." — Index. 

t  Wliile  the  procession  was  entering  the  church  the  quartet  choir  sang  J.  Ernest  Per- 
ring's  ordination  anthem,  "How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains."  The  organist  was  Chas. 
B.  Ruttenber,  of  St.  George's  church,  and  the  following  vocalists :  soprano.  Miss  Julia 
Alexander,  of  Poughkeepsie  ;  alto,  Miss  Josepliine  Hoase,  of  Newburgh ;  tenor,  Prof. 
Cromwell,  of  Fishkill ;  basso,  Mr.  J.  W.  Stratton,  of  Newburgh."— ./oM>-waZ. 


310 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


bell  and  the  city  clock.  The  contracts  for  construction  were  executed 
by  Thos.  Shaw  &  Sons,  carpenters,  for  $18,000,  and  Thomas  Dobbin, 
mason,  for  $23,000;  in  addition  to  which  svmis  about  $19,000  was 
expended  for  fui'nitm*e,  carpets,  furnaces,  gas  and  water  fixtures, 
etc.,  making  the  total  cost  $60,000.  The  organ  (Reuben  Midmer, 
builder,)  was  the  gift  of  John  Gait  and  John  G.  Wilkinson.  Its  cost, 
including  painting,  was  about  $5,000. 

FIRST    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    MIDDLEHOPE. 

The  project  of  building  a  Presbyterian  church  at  Middlehope  was 
proposed  in  January,  1859,  and  was  readily  embraced  by  several  of 
the  active  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Marlborough.  The 
enterprise  having  received  sufficient  encouragement  to  warrant  further 
proceedings,  a  meeting  was  held  (March  12,)  at  wliich  Nathaniel  T. 
Hawkins,  Peter  V.  B.  Fowler,  Jas.  Rodman,  and  Jas.  O.  ConkHn,  were 

appointed  "to  contract  foi' 
and  build  a  church,  and  to 
take  such  measures  to  raise 
funds  and  to  carry  out  and 
1^  liiiish  the  work  as  they  may 
tliinlv  proper."  This  com- 
mittee soon  after  awarded 
the  contract  for  building  to 
Jas.  D.  Purdy,  and  that  for 
l)ainting  to  Ward  &  Lt<m- 
ard .  The  building  was  com- 
pleted in  September,  1859, 
and  dedicated  on  the  (Jth 
of  October,  at  an  adjourn- 
ed meeting  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  North  River.  The  dedicatory  sermon  was  delivered  by  Rev. 
W.  T.  Sprole,  D.  D.,  reading  of  the  Scriptures  by  Rev.  B.  T.  PhiUips, 
and  the  dedicatory  prayer  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Jagger.  The  building  is  30x 
40  feet,  with  a  lobby  8x20  feet.  Its  cost,  including  furniture,  was 
about  $2,500. 

FIRST    ASSOCIATE    REFORMED    CHURCH. 

Until  near  the  close  of  the  last  century,  the  adherents  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  church  resident  in  Newburgh,  were  connected  with 
the  chui-ch  of  Little  Britain,  which  was  founded  in  1758.  Measures 
were  taken  to  gather  a  congregation  in  1797;  and  a  church  was 
formed  consisting  of  the  following  persons,  viz:  Hugh  Walsh,  and 
his  wife,  Catharine  AValsh;  Daniel  Niven,  and  his  wife,  Jane  Niven; 
Robert  Royd,  and  his  wife,  Eleanor  Boyd;  Janet  Boyd;  Robert 
Gourlay,  and  his  wife,  Margaret  Gourlay;  Derick  Amerman;  Robert 


CHURCHES.    SCHOOLS.    ETC  HH 


W.  JoBes;  Elizabeth  Belknap,  wife  of  Isaac  Belknap;  Samuel  Bel- 
knap; Hu^li  Spier;  Alex.  Telford,  and  George  Telford.  The  exer- 
cises in  connection  with  the  formal  organization  of  the  church  were 
probably  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Thos.  G.  Smith,  at  that  time  pastor 
of  Little  Britain. 

The  legal  incorporation  of  the  congregation  did  not  take  place 
until  Feb.  7th,  1803,  when  Messrs.  Derick  Amerman,  Hugh  Walsh, 
Daniel  Niven,  Robert  Gourlay,  Robert  Boyd,  John  BrowTi,  Isaac  Bel- 
knap, Jr.,  John  Colter,  and  Robert  W.  Jones  were  elected  trustees. 
The  ruHng  elders  at  this  period  were  Daniel  Niven,  Samuel  Belknap, 
Hugh  Spier,  John  Shaw,  and  Derick  Amerman. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  church  was  the  Rev.  Robert  Kerr,  who  is 
reported  to  have  been  a  preacher  of  more  than  usual  ability.  He  was 
a  native  of  Ireland,  and  had  been  settled  in  the  ministry  in  that 
country.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1797,  and  was  received  by 
the  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of  New  York,  on  the  10th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1797,  and  probably  began  his  labors  in  Newburgh  at  that  time, 
as  steps  were  taken  at  that  meeting  of  Presbytery  to  give  him  a  reg- 
ular call.  He  was  installed  pastor  on  the  6th  of  April,  1799.  He  re- 
signed his  charge  on  the  14th  January,  1802.  He  subsequently  re- 
moved to  the  south,  and  labored  "  with  great  diligence,  approbation 
and  success"  within  the  bounds  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of 
Carolina,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Savamiah,  11th  June, 
1805,  when  on  his  way  to  the  General  Synod. 

Mr.  Kerr  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  James  Scrimgeour,  who  was 
installed  as  pastor  on  the  11th  August,  1803.  He  was  a  native  of 
Scotland,  and  had  been  settled  in  the  ministry  for  seven  or  eight 
years  at  North  Berwick.  The  loss  of  health  obhged  him  to  resign  his 
charge  and  the  work  of  liis  profession  for  some  years.  Up  to  this 
time  he  had  been  one  of  the  most  popular  preachers  in  Scotland. 
Having  recovered  his  health  in  a  good  degree,  he  was  induced  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  John  M.  Mason  to  emigrate  to  America  in  1802.  He  re- 
mained in  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  of  Newburgh  until  1812, 
when  he  accepted  a  call  to  Little  Britain  and  was  installed  there  on 
the  24th  of  June  of  that  year.  In  this  charge  he  remained  imtil  his 
death  in  1825.* 

*  The  following  obituary  is  from  tlie  Political  Imlex  of  February  15,  1825 : 
"Departed  this  life  on  Friday  morning,  the  14th  of  Feb.,  Rev.  James  Scrimgeour,  minister 
of  the  gospel  at  Little  Britain,  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age.  He  studied  theology  under  the 
direction  of  John  Brown,  of  riaddington,  and  was  settled  as  pastor  of  a  congregation  in  the 
Burger  connexion,  at  North  Berwick.  He  was  one  of  the  ministers  that  came  to  this 
country  with  Dr.  Mason,  at  the  instance  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  in  the  year 
1802.  In  August,  1803,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Associate  Reformed"  congregation  at 
Newburgh,  and  was  for  some  time  pastor  of  that  congregation.  The  last  twelve  j'ears  of 
his  ministry  and  of  his  hfe,  were  spent  in  Little  Britain,  having  been  called  by  that  con- 
gregation, and  installed  in  this  charge,  the  24th  of  Jan. ,  1812.  As  a  man  he  was  frank, 
sincere  and  friendly — as  a  sou,  a  husband  and  a  father,  faithful  and  affectionate,"' 


312  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

A  vacancy  occurred  after  Mr.  Scrimgeour's  removal,  of  about  four 
years,  during  which  time  various  unsuccessful  efforts  were  made  to 
obtain  a  pastor.  Calls  were  addressed  to  Rev.  Robert  McCartee,  and 
to  Rev.  John  Knox,  then  licentiates  and  graduates  of  the  Theological 
Seminary;  but  finally  an  invitation  was  given  to  the  Rev.  Arthur  I. 
Stansbury,  wliich  he  accepted,  and  he  was  installed  4th  December, 
181G.  Mr.  Stansbury's  pastorate  was  very  brief.  He  resigned  his 
charge  in  April,  1818,  having  accepted  a  call  to  the  Fii'st  Presbyterian 
chm-ch  of  Albany.  The  Rev.  James  Chrystie,  minister  of  the  Re- 
formed Dutch  chiu-ch  of  Union  Village,  Washington  county,  having 
been  invited  to  succeed  Mr.  Stansbuiy,  accepted  the  call,  and  was  in- 
stalled 20th  September,  1818.  He  remained  as  pastor,  winning  the 
warm  attachment  of  the  congregation,  until  October,  1821,  when  he 
joined  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  church  and  removed  to  Albany. 
His  successor,  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  McCarrell,  commenced  his  labors  here 
as  a  supply  on  the  4th  Dec.  1822.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  pas- 
tor, 14th  March,  1823.  The  sermon  was  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  John 
McJimpsey;  the  ordination  prayer  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  James 
Scrimgeour;  the  charges  to  pastor  and  people  were  delivered  by  the 
Rev.  James  Mairs,  of  Galway,  N.  Y.  Dr.  McCarrell  faithfully  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  his  office  until  his  death.  His  successor,  the 
Rev.  Thomas  T.  Farrington,  began  his  labors  the  1st  of  July,  1869, 
and  continued  until  his  death,  June,  1875.  He  was  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  Jno.  McNaughton,  December  24th,  1875. 

The  first  edifice  occupied  by  the  church  was  erected  on  a  lot  given 
by  James  Renwick,  of  New  York,  and  which  now  forms  part  of  the 
farm  of  the  late  Capt.  Henry  Robinson.  The  church  stood  a  little  to 
the  north  and  west  of  the  gambrel-roofed  house — with  its  side  to  the 
river — which  forms  so  conspicuous  an  object  on  the  hiU  west  of  the 
ship-yards.  It  was  surrounded  by  magnificent  old  apple  and  pear 
trees,  and  in  form  was  very  similar  to  the  First  Presbyterian  church 
at  that  time — having  a  square  tower  on  the  south  end.  Mr.  Renwick 
deeded  the  lot,  which  was  200  feet  square,  to  WiUiam  Renwick,  Dr. 
John  Kemp,  Rev.  John  M.  Mason,  Alexander  Robertson,  Alexander 
Hosack,  John  Turner,  Jr.,  George  Lindsay,  Robert  Gosman,  of  the 
city  of  New  York;  and  Hugh  Walsh,  George  Gardner,  Robert  Gour- 
lay,  Daniel  Niven,  Robert  Boyd,  Robert  Ferguson,  Thomas  Tait, 
Robert  W.  Jones,  and  Alexander  Murray,  of  Newburgh  as  "  Trustees 
appointed  by  the  said  James  Renwick,  for  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Newburgh  in  connection  with  the  Associate  (Reformed)  Synod  in  the 
U.  States  of  America, — for  the  sole  use  and  intent  that  the  trustees 
and  members  of  said  church  should  erect  a  church  for  Christian  wor- 
ship, and  also  a  school-house  for  the  instruction  of  youth."      The 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC. 


813 


churcli  was  completed  in  1798,*  but  no  eifort  was  ever  made  to  erect 
a  school-house,  the  locaHty  being  wholly  vuisuited  for  such  an  edifice. 
As  the  growth  of  the  village  was  more  towards  the  north  than  the 
south,  the  church  came  to  be  quite  out  of  town,  and  very  inconveni- 
ently located  for  the  great  mass  of  its  members.  Accordingly,  in 
1821,  measures  were  taken  towards  the 
erection  of  a  new  chiu'ch  within  the  vil- 
lage; the  old  building  was  taken  down 
in  the  year  just  named,  and  while  the 
new  one  was  being  built  the  congrega- 
tion met  for  worship  in  the  old  covirt- 
room  in  the  Academy.  The  present  edi- 
fice was  dedicated  with  ajDpropriate  .ser- 
vices on  the  4th  of  January,  1822,  on 
which  occasion  the  Kev.  James  Scrim- 
geour  preached  from  Hoseaviii:17.  The 
lot  on  which  the  church  was  erected  was 
the  gift  of  Hugh  Walsh,  one  of  the  foun- 
ders of  the  society,  who  also  gave  the  associate  ref.'chuhch—i 835. 
largest  portion  of  the  lot  on  which  the  parsonage  stands  and  which 
was  erected  upon  it  in  1820.  Internally,  the  church  is  unaltered,  but 
externally  some  change  has  been  made  since  its  erection.  The  cupola 
was  completed  in  1834  and  a  bell  procured.  The  lectui*e-room  on  the 
north  side  of  the  church  was  built  about  1840. 

riEST   KEFOKMED    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

The  origin  of  this  congregation  may  be  traced  to  the  self-denying- 
exertions  of  a  few  individuals  in  the  communion  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  churcli,  who  settled  in  the  village  of  Newburgh  and 
vicinity  dui'ing  the  early  part  of  the  century,  among  whom  were 
James  Clark,  O.  Gailey,  and  Robert  Johnston.  A  society  for  prayer 
and  other  devotional  services  was  formed  and  regular^  attended  as 
early  as  1816  or  '17,  which  proved  the  means  of  gathering  together 
and  combining  the  efforts  of  a  sufficient  number  to  warrant  an  ajDpli- 
cation  for  occasional  preaching.  From  1817  until  1824,  the  society 
was  supj)Ued  with  preaching  by  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Willson,  D.  D.,  at  that 


*  There  is  an  anecdote  connected  with  the  building  of  tliis  churcli  edifice,  which,  as  it 
shows  a  heart  to  have  been  in  the  right  place,  we  relate.  When  the  building  was  being 
finished,  the  trustees  and  others  could  not  agree  about  placing  a  window  in  the  garret: 
some  wanted  it  on  the  ground  of  appearance;  some  that  it  would  ventilate  and  preserve 
the  building;  others  objected  to  the  expense  and  that  it  was  not  needed — one  suggested 
that  a  blind  or  false  window  would  answer  all  purposes  of  appearance  and  cost  compara- 
tively nothing.  Daniel  Niven,  Esq.,  in  reply  to  this  last  proposition  said,  "  that  as  long  as 
he  had  anything  to  do  with  the  church  there  should  be  no  more  hypocrisy  outside  than 
inside  of  it."  The  argument  was  closed,  and  a  very  large  window,  more  expensive  than 
any  in  the  building,  placed  in  the  garret.  When  this  edifice  was  taken  down,  the  large 
window  was  preserved,  and  it  now  Ues  in  the  garret  of  the  new  church,  embalmed  in  the 
pious  fragrance  of  the  above  remark.— .E'ag^CT''s  Orange  County,  213. 


814 


msTOBY  OF   NEWBVBGII. 


time  i^astor  at  Coldenliam.  Increasing  in  numbers,  and  desirous  of 
obtaining  a  fuller  supply  of  ordinances,  the  members  of  the  New- 
biirgh  branch  of  the  Coldenham  congregation,  as  it  came  to  be  called, 
were,  by  deed  of  Presbytery,  separated  fi'om  the  Coldenham  congre- 
gation and,  in  1824,  organized  as  a  distinct  chirrch,  of  which  Samuel 
Wright  and  John  Lawson  were  elders,  and  WiUiam  M.  Wiley  and 
John  Crawford,  deacons.  Soon  after  the  organization,  Matthew  Duke 
was  added  to  the  elders,  and  William  Thompson  to  the  deacons. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  church  was  the  Rev.  Jas.  E.  Johnston,  who 
was  ordained  and  installed  in  1825.  His  comiection  with  it  was  dis- 
solved in  1829.  On  the  8th  of  June,  1830,  the  Rev.  Moses  Rooney 
became  his  successor,  and  served  with  great  acceptance  until  1848, 
when  he  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  failing  health.  On 
the  14th  November,  1849,  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Car- 
lisle, was  installed. 

The  society  held  its  first  public  ser- 
vices in  the  Academy.  Arrangements 
were  made  for  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice  in  1818,  wliich  was  completed 
the  following  year  and  is  still  occu- 
pied by  the  congregation.  In  1852, 
it  was  rebuilt,  during  which  time  the 
pubhc  services  of  the  congregation 
were  held  in  the  Court-house.  It  af- 
ords  accommodations  for  about  five 
himdred  persons.     It  is  without  architectural  features  of  special  note. 

SECOND    REFORMED    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

The  Second  Reformed  Presbyterian  chui'ch  of  Newburgh  was  organ- 
ized by  a  commission  of  the  New  York  Presbytery,  on  the  12th  De- 
cember, 1854.  The  original  membership  was  composed  of  William 
Thompson,  James  Frazier  and  William  Johnston,  elders;  John  Law- 
son  and  James  Hilton,  deacons,  and  twenty-six  private  members. 

In  accordance  with  a  call  made  by  the  congregation,  the  Rev.  J. 
Renwick  Thompson,  the  present  pastor,  was  installed  Dec.  1 9,  1855. 

The  public  services  of  the  church 
were  first  held  in  the  Cotu-t-house.  Ar- 
rangements for  the  erection  of  a  church  /  ■ 
edifice,  however,  were  made  soon  after 
the  organization,  and  the  building  was 
completed  in  November,  1855,  and  dedi- 
cated on  the  25th  of  that  month.     The 

morning  services  were  conducted  by  the        sec.  ref.  preh.  church— iss.'j. 
Rev.  Dr.  Christy,  of  New  York,  who  delivered  an  able  lecture  on  the 


FiusT  ref.  pues.  church — 1852. 


CHVRCHEH.  SimOOLS,  ETC  ';>;\^^ 


12th  chapter  of  Isaiah.  In  the  afternoon,  the  discourse  was  by  the 
pastor  of  the  church,  from  Genesis  xxviii:17;  and  the  eveninf^  services 
were  conducted  by  Dr.  Christy.  The  church  building,  originally 
without  much  architectural  character,  was  improved  by  the  addition 
of  a  tower,  etc.,  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $3,400  It  is  of  brick,  and  has 
accommodations  for  six  hundred  persons. 

FIRST    UNITED    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

On  the  25th  May,  1858,  a  union,  with  reference  to  which  negotia- 
tions had  long-  been  pending,  was  consummated  at  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
between  the  two  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  family  known  as  the 
"Associate"  and  the  "Associate  Keformed"  churches,  under  the  title 
of  the  "United  Presbyterian  Church  of  North  America."  The  two 
Associate  Reformed  congregations  of  Newburgh  declined  to  enter  this 
union.  The  friends  of  the  united  church,  in  these  congregations,  be- 
lieving that  the  union  was  right,  and  an  imj^ortant  step  toward  the 
unity  of  the  chui'ch,  petitioned  (Nov.  9,  1859,)  the  New  York  Presby- 
tery of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  for  the  'constitution  of  a 
congregation  to  be  known  as  the  "First  United  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Newbiu'gh."  This  petition  having  been  granted.  Rev.  Alexander 
McWilliams  was  ai)pointed  hy  the  Presb_\i;ery  to  organize  the  church, 
which  then  embraced  8(i  members.  George  Gearns,  George  Lendrum, 
John  Geddes,  Sr.,  and  Dr.  Matthew  Stevenson,  were  elected  ruling 
elders,  and  Andrew  Johnston,  B.  W.  Chambers,  Thomas  M.  McCann, 
Jcis.  S.  Strachan,  Robert  Hyndman,  George  Lendrum,  George  Gearns, 
John  Geddes,  Sr.,  and  John  Brown  were  chosen  as  trustees,  and  the 
society  organized  Dec.  6th,  1859.  On  the  31st  December,  the  trustees 
purchased  the  edifice  then  occupied  by  the  Baptist  church,  situated 
on  Montgomery  street  (corner  of  Foui-th),  where  the  congregation 
has  since  held  public  worship.  It  was  enlarged  and  improved  during 
the  summer  of  1871,  at  a  cost  of  about  eighteen  hundred  doUars. 
The  first  pastor  of  the  chui-ch  was  Rev.  Robert  Armstrong,  formerly 
of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  He  was  installed  March  12,  1861,  and  contin- 
ued in  the  office  until  Oct.  21,  1868,  when  he  was  released  from  the 
charge.  The  present  pastor,  Rev.  J.  G.  D.  Findley,  was  ordained 
and  installed  on  the  14th  of  October,  1869.  On  the  21st  AprU,  1862, 
Messrs.  George  Guy,  Thomas  M.  McCann  and  Andrew  Jolmston, 
were  ordained  and  installed  as  ruhng  elders  in  the  congregation. 

AMERICAN    REFORMED    CHURCH. 

The  history  of  this  church  dates  from  October,  1834,  when  the  Rev. 
Wm.  Cruickshank,  on  the  application  of  some  of  the  members  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  church  in  the  city  of  New  York,  was  induced  to  visit 
Newbiu'gh  and  undertake  the  establishment  of  a  church.  His  efforts 
were  successful,  and,  on  the  24th  February  following,  the  church  was 


316  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

formally  organized  by  the  Classis  of  Orange,  at  which  time  Isaac  Bel- 
knap, Thomas  G.  Stansborough,  Isaac  A.  Knevels,  and  John  W. 
Knevels,  were  ordained  elders;  and  Cornelius  Bogardus,  Thos.  Jessup, 
Daniel  Corwin,  and  Albert  WeUs,  deacons.  Eighteen  persons  were 
then  received  into  its  communion  by  certificate. 

On  the  13th  of  Aprd,  1835,  the  Consistoiy  invited  the  Eev.  William 
Cruickshank  to  become  their  pastor;  and  the  call  having  been  ap- 
proved by  the  Classis  of  Orange,  he  was  installed  as  the  first  pastor 
of  the  church  on  the  22d  October  of  the  same  year.  In  December, 
1837,  Mr.  Cruickshanlc  resigned;  and,  on  the  13th  of  June,  1838,  a  caU 
was  addressed  to  the  Rev.  Isaac  M.  Fisher,  wliich  was  accejDted,  and 
he  was  installed  in  July.  He  remained  pastor  only  until  the  5th  of 
October  of  the  same  year,  when  he  resigned,  on  accovmt  of  failing 
health.  On  the  17th  of  May,  1839,  the  Eev.  F.  H.  Vanderveer  was 
called,  and  continued  the  pastor  of  the  church  iratLl  the  19th  August, 
1842,  when  he  resigned.  On  the  13th  September,  1842,  a  caU  was 
made  upon  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Van  Zandt,  and  he  was  installed  by  a  depu- 
tation of  the  Classis  of  Orange  on  the  14th  of  December  following. 
He  resigned  in  June,  1849 ;  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Malcolm 
N.  McLaren,  who  was  installed  Nov.  12th,  1850.*  He  resigned  the 
charge  Feb.  5th,  1859,  and  on  the  14th  of  June,  a  call  was  made  upon 
the  Rev.  C  H.  Mandeville,  of  Flushing,  L.  I.,  who  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  jDastor  August  21st,  of  the  same  year.f  He  resigned  Nov. 
1st,  1869.  Rev.  W.  H.  Gleason,  the  present  pastor,  was  called  on  the 
9th  of  April,  and  installed  in  May,  1870. 

The  chui'ch  was  organized  in  the  First  Associate  Reformed  church  | 
edifice;  and  its  subsequent  meetings,  until  the  completion  of  the  build- 
ing now  occupied  by  it,  were  held  in  the  Academy.  Mr.  Cruickshank, 
the  first  pastor,  devoted  all  his  energies  to  the  interests  of  the  infant 

*  The  Rev.  Malcolm  N.  McLaren  was  installed  as  Pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church 
in  this  place  on  Tuesday  evening  last.  The  introductory  exercise  was  the  chantmg  of  the 
19th  Psalm ;  this  was  followed  by  reading  of  the  Scripture  and  a  very  appropriate  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Schoonmaker.  The  hynm,  "  Go  preach  my  gospel,  saith  the  Lord,"  was 
sung;  and  the  sermon  was  then  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  AUigcr  from  1st  Cor.  2:4~"  My 
preaching  was  not  with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit 
and  of  power."    The  choir  then  sung, 

"  Come  in,  thou  blessed  of  the  Loi-d, 
Oh  come,  in^ Jesus'  precious  name; 
We  welcome'  thee  with  one  accord, 
And  trust  the  Saviour  does  the  same." 
The  installing  form  was  read  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lee,  after  which  was  sung  a  quartette  and 
chorus,  "  How  beautiful  are  them  that  preach  the  gospel  of  peace;  that  bring  glad  tidings 
of  good  things.    Let  thy  priests,  0  God,  be  clothed  with  salvation  and  let  thy  saints  rejoice 
in  goodness."    Then  followed  the  Doxology,  "Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow," 
and  the  exercises  closed  with  the  benediction.— ^ozerte,  Nov.  19,  1850. 

t  During  the  vacancy  between  the  resignation  of  Dr.  McLaren  and  the  installation  of 
Mr.  Mandeville,  and  subsequently  during  the  vacancy  between  Mr.  Mandeville's  resignation 
ftnd  Mr.  Gleason's  installation,  the  pastoral  duties  of  the  church  were  performed  by  the 
Rev.  John  Forsyth,  D.  D. 

X  The  services  on  this  occasion  were  conducted  bv  the  Rev.  F.  H.  Vanderveer,  who  de- 
livered the  sermon,  and  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Van  Vechten,  who  addressed  the  members 
and  congregation. 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC 


317 


church,  and  its  early  success  was  due,  in  a  great  measure,  to  his  inde- 
fatigable exertions.  He  obtained  from  his  congregation,  and  from 
New  York,  a  handsome  subscription  for  the  erection  of  a  church  edi- 
fice ;  the  site  for  which  was  selected  on  the  corner  of  Grand  and  Third 
streets.  The  building  was  commenced  abovit  October  1st,  1835;  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  Oct.  2'2d.*  Mr.  Warren,  of  New  York,  was  the 
architect,  and  Gerard  &  Halsey,  masons,  and  A.  WTiitmarsh,  carpen- 
ters, were  the 
contractors.  — 
Service  was 
first  held  in 
the  basement 
on  Sun  d  a  y , 
Nov.  13, 1837,t 
and  on  the  7th 
December  fol- 
lowing the  edi- 
fice was  dedi- 
cated. I  The 
financial  difii- 
cultiesof  1837, 
seriously  affec- 
ted the  tempo- 
ral interests  of  American  reformed  church — 1860. 

the  chiirch;  and  the  Consistory  were  compelled  to  submit  to  a  sale 
of  the  church  property  (Aj^ril,  1839),  which  was  purchased  by  Mr. 


*  Rev.  Wm.  Cruickshank  was  installed  October  22d,  1835.  Rev.  J.  H.  Bevier,  of  Sha- 
wangunk  preached  from  Isaiah  Ixii — 6.  The  services  were  held  in  the  Academy  building, 
then  occupied  by  the  church  for  its  regular  worship.  After  the  installation,  tlie  congre- 
gation moved  in  procession  to  the  foundation  walls  of  the  church,  preceded  by  the  archi- 
tect, builders,  clergy,  &c.,  presenting  a  handsome  sight.  The  corner-stone  was  then  laid. 
Rev.  Wm.  Cruickshank  first  read  a  history  of  the  organization  of  the  Church,  and  a  list 
of  papers,  &c.,  which  had  been  placed  in  the  box  prepared  for  the  occasion.  Rev.  Wra. 
S.  Heyer  offered  prayer.  The  box  was  then  put  into  the  ])lace  made  for  it  by  Elder  Isaac 
Belknap,  who  made  some  feeling  remarks.  Rev.  Doct.  Brodhedd  then  delivered  an  ad- 
dress, standing  on  the  top  of  the  stone  buttress.  Rev.  Thomas  DeWitt,  D.  D.,  foUov/ed  in 
an  address  which  called  up  the  deep  feelings  of  the  lieart  and  carried  the  imagination 
from  the  earthly  to  the  heavenly  temple.  Services  concluded  by  prayer  and  benediction 
by  Rev.  Seymour  Landon  of  the  M.  E.  Church. — (Jhristian  hdelhgencer,  Oct.  .31,  1835. 

t  The  basement  room  of  the  noble  and  imposing  edifice  erected  by  the  Reformed  Dutch 
congjregation  of  this  Village,  was  opened  for  pubHc  worship  last  Sirnday  morning.  The 
services  were  ])erformed  by  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cruickshank,  who,  "in  the  early  pai-t 
of  the  services,  solemnly  dedicated  it  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  as  a  place  of  social 
prayer,  for  Sabbath  School  instruction,  and  for  lectures,  or  the"  exposition  of  the  sacred 
Scriptures.  — rrfeo'?-o»/(,  Nov.  17,  1837. 

X  The  Reformed  Dutch  Church  of  this  Village  was,  on  Thursday  last,  dedicated  with  ap- 
propriate and  interesting  ceremonies.  The  beautiful  edifice — interior  and  exterior — was  a 
subject  of  admiration  to  a  very  large  concourse  of  people  assembled  on  the  occasion. 
The  services  consisted  of  a  dedicatory  address  by  Rev.  Wm.  Cruickshank;  and  a  sermon 
by  Rev.  Thomas  DeWitt,  D.  D. ,  from"  Psalms  Ixxxvii:  3.  Rev.  R.  P.  Lee,  Rev.  Wm.  S. 
Heyer,  and  Rev.  F.  H.  Vanderveer,  engaged  in  other  parts  of  the  services  of  the  day. 
Yesterday  a  sale  of  pews  took  place,  the  proceeds  of  which  amounted  to  about  $3,000. — 
Telegraph,  Dec.  14, 1837. 


318  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBGIL 

Daniel  Farrington,  on  behalf  of  the  creditors  for  the  sum  of  $10,053. 
An  arrangement,  however,  was  soon  after  eifected  by  which  Matthew 
V.  B.  Fowler  became  the  purchaser  of  the  property  in  trust  for  the 
church.  The  debt  was  greatly  reduced,  and,  in  1849,  the  Consistory 
was  enabled  to  resume  the  title. 

The  church  edifice  is  of  Grecian  architecture.  It  is  built  of  stone 
stuccoed  and  was  originally  50x80  feet  with  a  portico  of  20  feet, 
making  a  total  depth  100  feet;  the  roof  was  surmounted  by  a  massive 
dome,  which  formed  a  prominent  feature  in  the  landscape.  The  style 
of  architecture  was  continued  in  the  interior  and  gave  to  the  audito- 
rium a  cold  massive  grandeur.  The  first  cost,  including  lot,  etc.,  was 
about  $20,000.  The  dome  proved  troublesome  and  was  removed;  the 
acoustics  of  the  auditorium  were  bad,  and  led  to  a  recessed  pulpit. 
During  the  year  1851,  the  parsonage  was  built  on  the  east  side  of  the 
lot  on  Third  street,  at  a  cost  of  $3,277.  It  has  since  been  enlarged 
and  improved  at  a  cost  of  about  $5,000.  The  church  edifice  was  en- 
larged, in  the  faU  and  winter  of  1867-'68,  by  the  addition  of  a  tran- 
sept in  the  rear  15x22  feet  on  each  side  and  20  feet  high,  giving  an 
audience  room  100  feet  in  depth  and  82  feet  in  width  at  transept. 
The  improvements  were  fi-om  plans  by  J.  E.  Harney,  architect,  and, 
including  frescoing,  grading,  &c.,  involved  an  expenditure  of  al:)out 
$20,000.  It  was  reopened  for  service  April  19,  1868.  Its  seating 
capacity  (including  gallery)  is  now  about  1000. 

FIRST   BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

The  first  Baptist  church  of  Newburgli  was  the  offspring  of  the 
Baptist  church  at  Fishkill.  From  1740  to  1780,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hal- 
stead,  then  pastor  of  the  church  at  Fislikill,  performed  missionary 
labors  at  different  places  in  Duchess  and  Ulster  counties;  and,  in 
1782,  succeeded  in  organizing  a  branch  of  the  society  in  the  precinct 
of  New  Marlborough,  then  recently  a  portion  of  the  precinct  of  New- 
burgh.  At  a  regular  meeting  of  this  branch  church,  held  on  the 
24th  of  May,  1785,  at  the  house  of  Reuben  Drake  (Elder  James 
PhiUips  presiding),  a  petition  was  presented  by  Nathan  EUet  and 
WiUiam  Piu'dy,  on  behalf  of  themselves  and  others,  asking  that  "the 
society  be  constituted  a  separate  cluu-ch,  and  that  Jonathan  Atherton 
be  ordained  pastor."  The  application  was  granted.  The  ordination 
as  weU  as  the  services  constituting  the  church  were  held  on  the  27th 
of  May.  The  minutes  state  that  Elder  Dakens  preached  the  ordina- 
tion sermon  from  Timothy  iv  :8.  Alter  prayer  by  Elder  Cole,  Elder 
Dakens  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor  and  to  the  church.  "  Elder 
Phillips  gave  Bro.  Athei-ton  the  hand  and  said,  in  presence  of  the 
whole  congregation,  that  he  owned  him  as  an  elder;  and  so  Elder 
Phillips  went  to  prayer.     When  done,  they  sang  a  Psalm,  went  out, 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,   ETC.  319 

and  now  we  are  left  to  ourselves."  The  new  orp^anization  was  called 
the  "Baptist  Church  of  Pleasant  Valley,"  and  was  composed  of  the 
following  members,  viz: 

John  and  Mary  Lester,  Barth.  and  Hannah  Baker,  Jediah  Atwood, 

John  and  Hannah  Coller,  Jonathan  Atherton,  Thankful  Mackey, 

Nathan  and  Mary  Ellet,         |/john  Glan,  Billaga  Jones, 

.Tosiah  and  Sarali  Baker,  Phebe  Drake,  Abraham  Strickland. 

David  and  Hannah  Martain,      William  Pnrdy, 

The  membership  increased  rapidly,  and,  in  1789,  a  branch  church 
was  established  at  Latintown,  and  another  at  New  Paltz.  On  the  24th 
April,  1790,  "a  number  of  members  were  set  off  by  themselves,"  and, 
on  the  2d  of  Jtme  following,  were  constituted  the  "  Church  at  New- 
burgh,"  the  members  of  which  were: 

William  Brundage,  Elder,  Gilbert  Kniffen,  Anna  Wyatt, 

Nathaniel  Wyatt,  Phebe  Merritt,  Anna  Bloomer, 

Matthew  Cropsey,  Elizabeth  Ellet,  Oliver  Cosman, 

Elizabeth  Cosman,  Rachel  Cropsey,  Archibald  Ellet. 

The  Chui'ch  at  Newburgh  continued  in  existence  until  1817.  In  the 
meantime  (1803)  Elder  Luke  Davis,  a  Baptist  missionary,  raised  a 
small  congTegation  at  Fostertowii,  which  was  incorporated  with  the 
original  society.  William  Brundage  served  as  pastor  from  1790  to 
1795;  Levi  Hall  from  1796  to  1799,  holding  service  one-third  of  the 
time;  Jetliro  Johnson  from  1799  to  1803;  Luke  Davis*  from  1803  to 
1811;  Wm.  C.  Thompson,  a  hcensed  preacher  but  not  an  ordained 
minister,  from  1812  to  1815,  and  John  Ellis  from  1815  to  1(S17.  whose 
time  was  equally  divided  between  the  Newburgh  and  the  Pleasant 
Valley  church.  On  the  18tli  November,  1817,  the  two  churches  were 
united  under  the  title  of  the  Union  Chui'ch  of  Pleasant  Valley  and  New- 
burgh, and  continued  in  existence  down  to  Dec.  5th,  1840,  when  the 
last  entry  is  made  in  the  minutes.  From  1817  to  1832,  meetings 
were  held  alternately  at  Pleasant  Valley,  where  a  church  edifice  had 
been  erected  in  178(),  and  in  the  "  Stone  Meeting  House,"  as  it  was 

*  Elder  Luke  Davis  was  born  in  the  city  of  Loudon,  where  he  studied  medicine  and  be- 
came a  druggist.  After  he  emigrated  to  Now  York,  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  pre- 
scribed for  the  sick,  and  was  a  ])reacher  connected  with  the  Mulberry  street  Baptist  church. 
From  New  York  he  removed  to  Newburgh,  and  became  the  minister  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church.  At  the  time  he  had  three  brothers  residing  in  Newburgh,  George,  Joseph,  and 
Sanniel  Davis,  who  subseiiueutly  removed  to  the  town  of  Thompson,  Sullivan  county.  In 
their  new  home  they  were  visited  by  him  and  while  there  preached  for  them  and'  their 
neighbors.  He  was  so  well  liked  that  he  was  induced  to  preach  foi-  them  once  in  three 
weeks  (luring  the  years  1809,  1810  and  1811.  He  continued  tu  visit  Thompson  regularly 
until  the  summer  of  1817,  when  he  became  one  of  its  residents.  He  also  labored  at  Peen- 
pack,  Mamakating  Hollow,  and  Foresthurgh. 

The  Baptist  church  in  Thom])son  was  informally  organized  in  the  log-liouse  of  Enoch 
Comstock  (subsequently  and  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Newburgh),  on  the  2fltli  of 
April,  1811.  Its  formal  organizrition  took"  place  on  the  16th  of  .Julj'  succeeding,  in  Nehe- 
niiah  Smith's  barn.  Elder  Davis  was  the  pastor  of  the  floek  until  1823,  when  a  difficulty 
arose  with  his  people,  he  having  jjemiitted  the  Rev.  John  Brown,  for  so  many  years  Rec- 
tor of  St.  George's  church,  Newburgh,  to  occupy  his  pulpit  and  conduct  the  service,  and 
committed  some  other  trivial  offences  against  the  rules  of  the  church,  which  led  to  a  sepa- 
ration. He  then  returned  to  New  York,  became  again  a  preacher  of  the  Mulberry  street 
Baptist  church,  and  resumed  his  old  business  of  selling  drugs.  He  died  in  New  York. 
Dec.  9th,  1852,  aged  92  years,  leaving  two  sons  Baptist  preachers. — Quhi}a»\<<  History  of 
Snilivaii  County,  625,  etc. 


320  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

called,  in  Newbiirgli.  After  1832,  meetings  were  held  at  Pleasant 
Valley  only,  and  practically  the  Newburgh  branch  of  the  society 
closed  its  existence.  The  stone  meeting  house  which  it  occupied,  and 
its  burial  ground,  were  on  the  farm  late  of  John  Eodman,  near  Lup- 
tondale,  on  the  Newburgh  and  Shawangunt  plank-road.  The  build- 
ing was  about  thirty  feet  square  with  walls 
about  twenty  feet  high,  ten  feet  of  which 
were  stone,  and  covered  by  what  is  called  a 
baiTack  roof,  rising  to  about  twenty-five  feet 
in  the  center.  It  was  erected  about  the  year 
1800,  aud  abandoned  in  1832.  The  pulpit 
was  on  the  west — the  entrance  on  the  east.  In  the  adjoining  burying- 
ground  Ik  ad-stones  mark  the  resting  place  of  many  of  the  founders 
and  supporters  of  the  church,  among  others  of  deacon  Joseph  Cauld- 
weU  and  of  deacon  AVm.  Winterton.  iV  parsonage  house  was  also  a 
part  of  the  propcrt}',  and  Orange  Lake  was  the  baptismal  font. 

No  effort  appears  to  have  boen  made  to  organize  a  church  in  the 
village  of  Newburgh  until  1821.  Baptist  missionaries,  however,  fre- 
quently visited  tiie  place,  and  among  others  the  Eev.  Mr.  Price, 
Charles  Iilais,  and  Thomas  Powell,  the  latter  afterwards  or  at  tliat 
time  (1820)  pastor  of  the  church  at  Cornwall.  In  1817,  the  Hudson 
River  Baptist  Association  made  arrangements  to  supjjly  the  village 
with  missionaries  for  one  year.  The  Rev.  Rufus  Leonard  held  the 
first  service  under  this  arrangement  in  the  Academy  on  the  14th  De- 
cember.* From  the  records  of  the  present  church,  it  appears,  that 
on  Wednesday  evening,  February  21st,  1821,  a  meeting  was  held  at 
the  residence  of  Lydia  Ann  Hill,  for  the  i^iu-jDOse  of  consulting  in  ref- 
erence to  the  organization  of  the  chm-ch.  "As  the  result  of  this 
meeting,  an  invitation  was  sent  to  Elder  Daniel  C.  Stears  to  visit  the 
brethren  and  give  them  such  counsel  as  circumstances  required.  On 
the  fourth  Wednesday  in  March  following,  a  committee  was  aj)pointed 
to  draft  articles  of  faith  and  covenant,  which  were  presented  and 
adopted  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  11th  of  April.  On  the  16th  of  May, 
the  chui-ch  was  formally  organized — Wm.  Pierce  acting  as  moderator, 
and  Lewis  Leonard  as  clerk.  There  were  fom-teen  members  at  the 
time  of  its  constitvition,  five  of  whom  were  brethren.  This  church 
survived,  with  aU  the  attending  difficulties  usual  to  weak  churches, 

*  At  a  meeting  of  the  Hudson  River  Baptist  Association,  the  following  gentlemen  agreed 
to  supply  their  brethren  and  others  who  may  wish  to  attend  their  improvement  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Newburgh,  with  i)reaehing  for  one"  year,  viz:  Revds.  John  WilHams,  Archibald 
Maclay,  Johnson  Chase,  .Jacob  Bronner,  Mr.  (John)  ElUs,  Aaron  Perkins,  Lewis  Leonard, 
Avery  Briggs,  Joshua  Bradley,  Chas.  G.  Somers,  Mr.  Wiley. 

Agreeably  to  the  above  resolution,  the  inhabitants  of  this  village  are  informed  that  Mr. 
Leonard  will  preach  in  the  Court-house  (Academy)  on  Lord's  Day,  the  14th  of  the  present 
month.  Exercises  to  commence  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  Newburgh,  Dec.  9,  1817— .4du.  Po- 
mical  Index. 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  321 


until  July  12,  1828.  During  its  existence  forty-four  persons  united 
with  it,  of  whom  only  four  were  by  baptism.  The  members  attached 
to  the  church  at  the  time  of  its  dissolution  removed  their  member- 
ship, and  gradually  all  trace  of  it  vanished." 

From  1828  until  1834,  there  was  no  Baptist  church  organization  in 
the  village.  On  the  23d  of  December,  1834,  however,  a  meeting  was 
held  "  in  the  brick  meeting  house,  then  owned  by  the  Methodists,  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  church.  There  were  four  ministers  pres- 
ent, viz:  Parkinson,  Bernard,  Martin,  and  David  James.  Having  re- 
solved to  constitute  a  church,  it  was  agreed  that  Elder  Parkinson 
preach  the  sermon.  Elder  Martin  was  appointed  clerk.  Elder  Ber- 
nard gave  the  charge,  and  Elder  Parkinson  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship. Elder  David  James  was  the  first  pastor  of  this  church,  it  having 
been  formed  under  his  charge.  The  ntunber  of  members  at  the  time 
of  its  constitution  is  said  to  have  been  thii-teen.  At  the  first  church 
meeting,  held  Jan.  10,  there  were  present  three  brethren  and  seven 
sisters.  The  three  brethren  were  David  James,  the  pastor;  Wm. 
Mitchell,  deacon,  and  Joseph  Chase,  clerk." 

Mr.  James  continued  to  serve  as  pastor  until  January,  1838,  when  he 
resigned.  The  church  does  not  appear  to  have  gained  much,  in  point 
of  numbers,  during  his  ministry.  In  April,  1838,  Elder  Spencer  accept- 
ed a  call  to  the  pastorate,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  August  fol- 
lowing, when  he  resigned.  The  pulpit  was  temporarily  supplied  by 
Elder  James  vmtil  December,  when  Elder  Van  Gilder  took  the  charge. 
He  served  until  July,  1839,  when  Elder  Daniel  T.  Hill  accepted  an 
invitation  to  supply  the  pulpit  every  Sabbath  morning.  This  arrange- 
ment continued  for  only  a  few  months.  In  July,  1840,  Elder  George 
Phippen  accepted  the  pastorate  and  remained  in  the  charge  until 
Nov.  1st,  1842,  when  he  resigned.  During  his  ministry  the  condition 
of  the  society  considerably  improved.  "Some  old  difficulties  were 
removed,  some  prejudices  which  had  long  existed  were  broken  down, 
and,  as  a  denomination,  some  progress  was  made  in  gaining  a  more 
favorable  opinion  on  the  part  of  the  community." 

The  Rev.  C.  A.  Raymond  succeeded  Mr.  Phippen,  and  entered  upon 
his  duties  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  November,  1842.  He  was  a  young 
man  of  superior  talent  and  great  energy,  and  under  his  ministry  the 
church  rapidly  increased  in  membership.  He  resigned  the  charge  in 
1844.  The  Rev.  W.  S.  Clapp,  and  the  Rev.  Thos.  Applegate,*  served 
the  church  as  supplies  until  April,  1847.  In  November  of  that  year, 
a  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  James  Scott,  who  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  the  pastorate  in  December,  and  held  the  station  until  Sep- 
tember 11, 1855,  when  he  was  removed  by  death.     On  the  4th  of  May, 


*  Father  of  Rev.  Octavius  Applegate  of  St.  George's. 

02I 


322 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


FIRST   BAPTIST   CHURCH — 1850. 


1856,  the  Eev.  J.  H.  Castle  accepted  the  vacant  pastorate  and  served 
until  March,  1859.  His  successor.  Rev.  Isaac  Wescott,  entered  upon 
the  charge  May  1st,  1859,  and  continued  pastor  until  September  13, 
1861.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Lasher,  who  became  pastor 
in  March,  1862,  and  resigned  April  25th,  1864.  In  October  of  the 
same  year,  Rev.  Lyman  Wright  entered  upon  the  pastoral  work,  con- 
tinuing in  the  office  until  Dec.  31,  1868.  His  successor  was  Rev..  E. 
W.  Bliss,  who  accepted  the  pastoral  office  April  1st,  1869,  and  re- 
signed April  1st,  1872.  The  present  pastor.  Rev.  John  Quincy  Adams, 
entered  upon  his  duties  April  1st,  1873. 

After  its  reorganization 
in  1834,  the  church  held 
services  in  the  old  Mcin- 
tosh house  (formerly  in  use  ^ 
by  St.  George's),  and  from 
thence  it  removed  to  the 
old  Methodist  chui'ch  on 
Liberty  street,  which  was 
purchased  b}'  the  society. 
This  building  was  sold,  in 
the  spring  of  1842,  for  $925,  and  on  the  third  Sabbath  in  May  of  the 
same  3'ear,  the  church  commenced  worship  in  Washington  Hall.  In 
1849,  an  edifice  was  erected  on  the  comer  of  Montgomery  and  Third 

streets  (now  occupied  by  the  First 
United  Presbyterian  society),  and 
opened  for  public  worsliip  in  the 
spring  of  1850.  In  the  fall  of 
1859,  the  society  pui-chased  a  site 
on  South  street  and  commenced 
the  erection  of  the  edifice  which 
it  now  occupies.  It  is  52  by  90 
feet,  and  is  in  the  Roman  style  of 
architecture.  The  tower  and  spire 
are  175  feet  high;  audience  room, 
50  by  72  feet  in  the  clear;  height 
of  ceiling,  32  feet.  The  audience 
room  has  156  pews,  and  will  seat 
about  800.  The  lecture-room  in 
the  basement  is  50  by  55  feet,  and 
j|  has  100  pews;  it  was  renovated 
^  in  1875.  The  cost  of  the  build- 
ing and  lot  was  about  $19,500. — 
It  IS  supplied  with  a  baptistery  and  other  modern  appointments.     It 


FIRST   BAPTIST   CHURCH— 18t)0. 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  323 


was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  August  15, 1860,  on  which  occasion  Dr. 
Hague,  of  New  York,  preached  in  the  morning,  from  Ephesians  iii:19, 
and  Dr.  Gillette  in  the  evening,  from  Luke  ii:49. 

SECOND    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

In  the  summer  of  1860  (Aug.  12),  Mr.  John  Hagan,  Jr.,  opened  a 
Sunday-school  in  what  was  known  as  the  Crystal  Palace  building,  on 
the  north  side  of  Washington  street,  and  immediately  thereafter  a  lot 
was  procured,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  and  a  small  frame 
building  erected  at  a  cost  of  $700.  This  building  was  opened  Sep- 
tember 1st,  1860,  under  the  name  of  the  "Scott  Mission  School."  In 
the  fall  of  1867,  a  larger  building  of  brick  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of 
$5,000,  and  was  opened  for  seirvice  on  Tuesday,  January  14,  1868. 
Missionaries  were  employed  by  the  First  Baptist  church  to  labor  in 
connection  with  this  mission  until  June  10th,  1871,  when  forty-one 
members  were,  at  their  own  request,  dismissed  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  the  Second  Baptist  church,  and  on  September  6,  1871,  that 
body  was  formally  recognized  by  a  Council  as  an  independent  church. 
Rev.  John  Gray,  who  had  acted  as  a  missionary,  was  soon  after  called 
and  ordained  to  the  pastorate,  which  office  he  has  filled  up  to  the 
present  time.     The  church  now  numbers  45  members. 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCHES. 

The  history  of  the  origin  of  Methodism,  and  that  of  its  founders, 
John  and  Charles  Wesley  and  their  associates,  is  too  well  known  to 
require  notice  in  these  pages.  A  brief  review  of  the  progress  of  the 
society  in  this  country,  and  of  the  system  which  was  adopted  to  carry 
forward  its  missionary  labors,  is,  however,  perhaps  necessary  to  a 
proper  understanding  of  the  manner  in  which  it  was  introduced  in 
Newburgh.  In  1766,  a  company  of  Irish  emigrants,  of  whom  Philip 
Embury  was  one,  organized  a  society  in  New  York;  and,  in  1768,  they 
erected  in  that  city  the  first  Methodist  church  in  America.*  About 
the  same  time  Robert  Strawbridge,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Ireland, 
organized  a  society  in  Maryland,  and  built  a  log  meeting-house  near 
Pipe  creek,  in  that  province.  Other  emigrants  from  the  British  Isles 
who  had  settled  in  Philadelphia,  laid  the  foundations  of  a  society  in 
that  city,  which  soon  rivaled,  in  point  of  numbers  and  active  zeal,  the 
one  in  New  York.  Encouraged  by  the  progress  of  the  sect  in  Amer- 
ica, Mr.  Wesley  sent  over  two  additional  laborers,  in  1769,  viz:  Rich- 
ard Boardman  and  Joseph  Pilmore,  the  former  being  stationed  at 
New  York,  and  the  latter  at  Philadelphia. f     In  1771,  Francis  Asbury 

*  This  building  was  th«n  called  "Wesley  chapel."  It  subsequently  became  known  as 
the  "  John  Street  church." 

t  After  his  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  Asbury  wrote  to  Wesley  that  he  had  found  300  mem- 
bers of  the  society  in  New  York,  250  in  Philadelphia  and  a  few  in  New  Jersey,  in  all  about 
600,  without  including  those  in  Maryland,  of  whose  numbers  at  that  time  he  was  ignorant. 


324  HISTOR Y  OF  NEWB  URGE. 

and  Richard  Wright  were  added  to  the  work;  and  in  1773,  Thomas 
Rankin  and  George  Shadford.  Rankin  was  appointed  by  Mr.  Wesley 
"General  Assistant  of  the  Societies  in  America,"  and  soon  after  his 
arrival  he  issued  a  call  for  "a  conference  of  all  the  preachers  in 
America,"  with  a  view  to  systematize  the  work.  The  meeting  was 
held  at  Philadelphia,  July  4,  1773,  and  was  the  first  "conference" 
that  ever  assembled  in  this  country.  The  society  then  embraced  1160 
members,  of  whom  500  were  in  Maryland. 

During  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  society  gradually  decreased 
in  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  but  continued  to  spread  rapidly  in  the 
southern  states,  so  that  while  its  total  membership  at  the  close  of  the 
war  was  13,740,  only  about  1100  were  resident  north  of  Philadelphia. 
After  the  peace,  Wesley  suggested  to  his  followers  in  the  United 
States  that  they  shovild  make  an  organization  independent  of  the 
society  in  England.  This  was  accordingly  done  in  1785,  and  the  title 
of  the  "Methodist  Episcopal  Church"  was  adopted  to  designate  the 
new  denomination.*  Thomas  Coke  and  Philip  Asbur^^  were  ap- 
pointed bishops,  or  superintendents,  and  the  society  was  divided  into 
districts  over  which  "elders"  were  stationed  under  whose  charge  two 
or  more  preachers  were  placed.  The  preachers  were  then  styled  "  as- 
sistants," and  the  fields  in  which  they  labored  were  called  "circuits." 
The  itinerant  principle,  which  is  still  one  of  the  distinctive  features  of 
the  Methodist  church,  was  adopted,  and  the  i^reachers  held  their  "  cir- 
cuits" only  for  a  year.  In  this  way  the  work  was  zealously  prose- 
cuted, often  amid  extreme  hardsliips,  and  the  society  regained  the 
ground  which  it  had  for  a  time  lost,  and  won  new  triumphs  in  the 
north  as  well  as  the  south. 

In  1786,  New  York  and  New  Jersey  were  divided  into  two  "  elder  dis- 
tricts," one  of  which  embraced  the  East  Jersey,  Newark,  New  York  city, 
and  Long  Island  "circuits,"  and  formed  the  extreme  northern  limit  of 
the  society  in  the  United  States  at  that  time.  The  East  Jersey  "cir- 
cuit" bordered  on  Orange  comity,  and  had  stationed  on  it  as  "assis- 
tants," John  McClaskey  and  Ezekiel  Cooper.f  While  Mr.  Cooper  was 
on  this  circuit  (1786),  one  of  his  public  services  was  attended  by 
Col.  David  McCamley,  who  invited  him  to  preach  at  his  residence  in 
the   town   of  Warwick.     Mrs.    Arthur  Smith,  a  sister  of   Col.   Mc- 

*  Therefore,  at  this  Conference,  we  formed  ourselves  into  an  independent  church;  and 
following  the  counsel  of  Mr.  John  Wesley,  who  recommended  the  Episcopal  mode  of 
church  government,  we  thought  it  best  to  become  an  Episcopal  church,  making  the  Epis- 
copal office  elective,  and  the  elected  superintendent,  or  bishop,  amenable  to  the  body  of 
mmisters  and  preachers.— Mw.  Am.  Con.  I,  p.  22. 

t  Ezekiel  Cooper  was  born  Feb.  22,  1763,  m  Caroline  county,  Maryland.  His  name  first 
appears  m  the  Conference  minutes  in  1785,  though  he  was  previously  employed  by  Bishop 
Asbury.  He  was  the  first  "  editor  and  general  book  steward  "  of  the  society,  having  re- 
ceived that  appointment  in  1800.  Sixty-four  vears  of  his  hfe  was  spent  in  the  ministry, 
and  he  was  long  regarded  as  one  of  the  brightest  lights  of  the  American  pulpit.  He  died 
on  the  21st  of  February,  1847,  at  the  age  of  84  years. 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC.  325 


Camley,  was  visiting  her  brother  at  the  time  of  the  service  there,  and 
at  her  solicitation  Mr.  Cooper  accomj)anied  her  to  her  residence  in 
Middlehojje,  where  he  held  the  first  Methodist  service  in  the  town  of 
Newbui-gh.  The  date  at  which  it  was  held  cannot  now  be  ascer- 
tained, but  it  was  probably  in  October,  1786.  Mr.  Cooper,  accompa- 
nied by  Samuel  Pm-dy,  also  visited  at  this  time  John  Woolsey,  near 
Milton,  and  having  established  here  ah  outpost  for  missionary  labor 
far  beyond  the  bounds  of  his  cu-cuit,  he  returned  to  New  Jersey.  Six 
weeks  later,  John  McClaskey  and  John  Cooper  passed  over  the  same 
route,  and  extended  the  new  circuit  to  the  Paltz,  where  they  held  ser- 
vice at  the  residences  of  Hendiick  Deyo  and  Andi'ies  DuBois.  They 
also  stopped  in  the  village  of  Newburgh,  and  preached  in  the  house  of 
Elnathan  Foster,  where  a  "class"  was  soon  after  formed.  In  Janu- 
ary, Ezekiel  Cooper  again  visited  the  district,  and  held  service  in  the 
house  of  Saml.  Fowler  in  Middlehope,  which  was  henceforth  a  regu- 
lar preaching  station  until  1813.  From  1813  to  1822,  the  meetings 
were  held  in  the  summer  in  a  barn  owned  by  Daniel  Holmes,  and  in 
the  winter  in  Mr.  Fowler's  house. 

The  success  which  had  attended  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Cooper  and  his 
associates,  led  to  the  organization,  in  1788,  of  the  Flanders  (N.  J.)  cii*- 
cuit,  wliich  embraced  this  section  of  country.  The  preachers  on  this 
circuit  were  Jesse  Lee,  Aaron  Hutchinson,  and  John  Lee,  and  it  had 
543  members.  Li  1789,  it  was  again  divided  and  the  Newburgh  cir- 
cviit  estabhshed,  its  preachers  being  Nathl.  B.  Mills  and  Andrew  Har- 
pending.     It  embraced  261  of  the  membership  of  Flanders  circuit,* 

and  was  divided  into  the  following  "  classes  "  or  informal  societies,  viz : 

• 

Saml.  Fowler's  Class,  at  Middlehope.    Warwick  Class,                               at  Warwick. 

Elnathan  Foster's  Class,  at  Newburgh.    John  ElUson's  Class.t            at  New  Windsor. 

Munson  Ward's  Class,  at  Fostertown.    Luflf  Smith's  Class,            near  Marlborough. 

Geo.  Stanton's  Class,  at  Gardnenown.    David  Ostrander's  Class,             at  Plattekill. 

Daniel  Holmes'  Class,  at  Middlehope.    David  Stephens'  Class,                in  the  Clove. 

Jacob  Dayton's  Class,  near  Latintown.  !  Richard  Garrison's  Class,            in  the  Clove. 


Latintown  Class,  at  Latintown 

Samuel  Wyatt's  Class,  at  Keytown. 

Schultz's  Class,  at  Dolsentown 

Widow  Allison's  Class,  at  Pochuck 


Saml.  Ketcham's  Class,       near  Sugar  Loaf. 
Arter's  Class,  Barton's  Class, 

John  McWhorter's  Class, 
Long  Pond  Class. 


These  classes  continued  to  be  visited  by  the  cii-cuit  preachers  until 
they  ripened  into  societies  of  sufficient  strength  to  support  located 
ministers,  or  until  that  end  was  attained  by  the  union  of  two  or  more 
classes  in  a  short  circuit,  in  the  following  order: 

'•'  The  Flanders  circuit  was  left  with  a  memberslui>  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-two  per- 
sons, which  fully  corroborates  the  statement  that  the  Newburgh  circuit  was  previously 
embraced  in  its  bounds. 

t  This  Class  held  its  services  in  the  upper  part  of  a  house  which  Mr.  ElUson  erected  ex- 
pressly for  the  purpose  in  1790  or  '91.  The  building  is  still  standing,  and  is  situated  about 
three  hundred  feet  west  of  the  residence  of  the  late  Chas.  F.  Morton.  In  1807,  the  Class 
was  organized  into  a  regular  society  under  the  title  of  the  "  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
New  Windsor."  A  suitable  edifice  was  erected  during  the  same  year.  This  was  the  first 
Methodist  church  in  the  present  county  of  Grange,  and  is  still  occupied  by  the  New  Wincj- 
sor  society.    Several  changes,  however,  have  been  made  in  its  appearance. 


;V2(; 


UlSTOliY  OB-  NEWBURGH. 


FIKST    OR   TRINITY    M.  E.  CHURCH. 

In  1808,  the  "Newbiii-oh,"  or  "Elnathau  Foster's  class,"  as  it  was 
originally  called,  was  orj^anized  into  a  clinrdi  under  the  title  of  the 
"  Methodist  Episcopd  Church  in  the  Parish  of  Newburj>h."  Itstnis- 
tees  were  Morgan  Cole,  Lewis  Carter,  AVni.  Baker,  Joseph  Cole,  and 
Geo.  ^N'estlake.*  It  continued  to  be  supplied  by  circuit  preachers 
until  18"20,  when  Saniuel  Fowler,!  its  tirst  kx'ated  pastor,  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  chai-ge.  Since  that  time  the  following  ministers  have 
held  the  station,  viz: 


Date. 

KiXine. 

Bc.te. 

Naniv. 

1820 

Sniniul  Fowler. 

184(J-47 

Zephaniah  N.  Lewis 
.lolin  L.  Gilder. 

1821-22 

Tobias  Spit'iT. 

1848-40 

1823 

William  Jewi'tt. 

1850-51 

Abiathar  M.  Osbon. 

1821-25 

Joliu  D.  ^loriiiily. 

1852-53 

Charles  B.  ISing. 

182()-27 

Thomas  Mason. 

1854-55 

Luthir  W.  Peck. 

1828-21) 

Robert  Seuey. 

185(1-57 

Eilwiii  K.  Keves. 

1830-31 

Stiiilu'ii  L.  Stilhnan. 

1858-59 

John  W.  15.nu-h. 

1832-33 

Juiues  C'ovell. 

1860-61 

Charles  Shelling. 

1834 

Williaiu  Thatcher. 

Nov. "61  to  Ap. 

'62  John  Parker. 

1835-36 

Seyiiioiir  Laiulon. 

1862-1  vear 

M.  D.  C.  Crawford. 

1837-38 

Joiiu  KeuiK'ily. 

1863-66 

Geo.  S.  Hare. 

1839-40 

Robert  Seney". 

18(!6-(;9 

John  Milev. 

1841-42 

Edniiuul  E.  Griswold. 

1869-72 

Wnu  P.  Abbott. 

1843 

Friend  W.  Smith. 

1872-75 

Andrew  Longacre. 

1844-45 

Davis  Stoeking. 

1875 

Geo.  S.  Hare. 

The  class  from  which  the  society  sprung  held  its  first  meeting 
(1786)  at  the  house  of  Elnathan  Foster,  which  occupied  the  site  on 
w  hicli  the  tirst  Presbyterian  church  edifice  now  stands.  The  old  Lu- 
theran chiu'ch  and  the  old  clothing  store-house  were  also  used  when 
the  cu'cuit  preachers  visited  the  station,  and  after  the  erection  of  the 
Academy  the  sei'vices  were  held  in  the  upper  room  of  that  building.  | 
Subseij[uently  the  old  INIcIntosh  house  was  occupied.  Immediately 
after  the  organization  of  the  society,  it  was  resolved  (June  8,  1808,) 
to  erect  "a  house  of  worship,  45  by  35  feet,"  and  George  Westlake 
and  Morgan  Cole  were  appointed  to  "  circulate  subsci-iption  papers,  as 
well  as  to  have  the  general  dii*ection  in  erecting  the  building."  The 
sum  of  $773  was  subscribed  for  the  purpose,  and  a  lot  on  the  corner 
of  Gidney  avenue  and  Liberty  street  was  pm-chased  from  Elnathan 
Foster  for  a  nominal  consideration.     The   trustees   note  their   tirst 


*  The  records  of  this  ehuroh,  under  date  of  March  14,  1808,  are  as  follows: 

"liy  a  resolve  this  day  of  the  members  of  the  society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
chureU  in  Newburgh,  in  order  to  take  into  consideration  the  election  of  live  trustees, 
agreeable  to  an  act  ol  the  Legislature  of  this  state,  to  take  charge  of  the  temporal  con- 
cerns of  a  house  for  religious  and  divine  worship,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church— 

"llesoivcil,  therefore,  That  one  of  the  official  members  do  pubUsh,  on  Thursday  even- 
ing next,  being  tlie  ITtli  day  of  March,  instant,  and  the  stated  night  for  public  worship, 
that  a  meetnig  will  be  held  at  the  house  of  Morgan  Cole  on  Friday,  the  1st  day  of  April 
next,  at  3  o'clock  iu  the  afternoon,  to  elect  live  trustees  for  the  above  purpose." 

t  Sauuiel  Fowler  was  the  son  of  Sanuiel  Fowler  at  whose  residence  the  tirst  "  class  " 
was  formed.  He  was  admitted  to  the  niiuistrv  iu  1791,  and  continued  iu  active  service  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  2d  of  February,  1831,  at  the  age  of  74  years. 

X  There  is  a  tradition  that  Elnathan  Foster,  iu  subscribing  to  the  tinishiug  of  the  upper 
rooms  of  the  Academy  for  the  use  of  the  courts,  made  a  condition  that  the  Methodists 
should  be  permitted  to  occupy  them,  which  was  accepted. 


TRINITY  M.  E.  CHURCH    1861. 


p327 


VHUIiCIIES,   SCHOOLS,    ETC 


327 


meetino-  in  this  buildinj^,  wliicli  was  called  the  "Brick  Chapel,"  under 
date  of  Febniary  18th,  1811,  but  it  was  undoubtedly  occupied  at  an 
earlier  period.  Even  then,  however,  the  interior  of  the  edifice  was  not 
linished,  nor  was  it  completed  until  181G  or  '17. 

In  1883  (Dec.  28),  the  trustees  of  the  church  resolved  to  build  "a 
new  meeting  house,  to  be  50  by  (52  feet,  after  the  plan  of  the  Wash- 
ington street  M.  E.  Church,  Brooklyn,  capable  of  accommodatiu}^- 
1000  persons."  A  suitable  site  was  purchased  on  Second  street,  and 
on  the  29th  July,  1884,  the  cor- 
ner-stone of  the  edifice  was  laid 
with  appropriate  ceremonies.  * 
The  building  was  completed  in 
1835,  and  was  dedicated  k.\)Y\\ 
Ist  of  that  year.  Its  cost  was 
about  $10,000.  A  parsonage  on 
Montgomery  street  was  subse- 
quently added  to  the  proi)erty. 

In  the  spring  of  1800,  the  society  ^ihs,  m.  k.  .  M.ia  u-ih.;u. 

determined  to  build  a  new  edifice,  and  for  that  i)urpose  the  trustees 
purchased  a  site  on  the  corner  of  Libei-ty  and  Third  streets.  Plans 
by  R.  Lockwood,  architect,  were  adopted  and  the  contracts  awarded 
to  Little  &  KeUy,  carjjenters;  John  Little,  mason,  and  Madden  & 
Fitzgerald,  stone-work.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  Nov.  14th,  1860, 
by  Bishop  Janes.f  One  year  from  that  date  (Wednesday,  Nov.  18, 
18G1),  the  building  was  dedicated,  in  the  usual  form,  by  Bishop  Simp- 
son, of  Indiana.  It  is  in  the  decorated  style  of  the  thirteenth  cen- 
tury Gothic,  and  has  a  fi'ont  on  Libei-ty  street  of  73  feet  6  inches  by 
140  feet  on  Third  street.  The  chief  features  of  the  exterior  consist 
of  three  towers  with  their  entrances,  the  transept  and  the  lecture- 
room  front.  The  center  tower  and  spire  rises  to  the  height  of  180 
feet;  the  side  towers  to  G8  feet.  The  interior  dimensions  are:  Nave, 
85  feet  long  by  02  feet  wide ;  transept  78  feet  long,  terminating  at  the 
ends  with  large  enriched  windows.  The  ceiling  of  nave  and  transept 
is  40  feet,  and  is  richly  groined  and  ribbed.  The  auditorium  contains 
150  pews;  the  lecture-room,  on  the  second  floor  in  the  rear,  will  ac- 
commodate about  four  hundred  persons,  and  the  class-rooms  on  the 
first  floor  are  large  and  convenient.  The  cost  of  the  building  and 
lot  was  about  $85,000.  An  organ  was  added  in  February,  1870,  at  a 
cost  of  $5,000,     It  only  remains  to  add  that  the  title  of  the  church 


*  Tlie  building  was  erected  by  Sylvanus  Loud,  buiJder,  and  Henry  Vellnian,  niaHoii. 
The  trustees  of  tix;  church  at  that  time  were  Levi  1'.  Dodge,  Robert"  I'liilhps,  Sylvanus 
Loud,  Allen  Lockwood,  and  Ahmson  Ilandol.  The  original  entrance  was  Ijy  a  flight  of 
steps  extending  nearly  the  full  wiiltli  of  tlie  front. 

tThe  stone  used  was  taken  from  the  old  church  on  Second  street ;  the  original  papers, 
etc.,  which  it  contained  were  redeposited  with  those  of  the  later  period. 


:V2S 


lllsroRY  OF  N^WBURGH. 


ASIU'UY    OHAPKL — 1860. 


wascliano-ed  from  "First"  to  "Trinity"  in  1871.  The  property  of 
the  church  on  Second  street  was  sold  to  private  pai'ties,  and  subse- 
quently converted  into  an  opera  house. 

MIDDLEHOPE    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

The  originjil  "Sanuiel  Fowler's  class"  and  the  "Daniel  Holmes' 
class,"  were  organized  into  a  church,  Dec.  14,  1821,  and  "Wm.  Smith, 

Daniel  Holmes,  David  Wyatt,  Gilbert 
Holmes,  and  Daniel  Merritt,  were 
elected  trustees.  Arrangements  were 
soon  after  made  for  erecting  a  cluu'ch 
cditice,  which  was  dedicated  Dec.  29, 
1822,  luider  the  nanu'  of  "Asbuiy 
Chapel."*  It  has  always  been  sup- 
plied by  I'ircuit  preachers,  and  is  now 
associated  with  the  M.  E.  church  at  Fostertown,  the  two  churches 
forming  the  "Noiih  Newburgh  ciiruit."  Its  building  has  undergone 
some  slight  ju'chitectural  changes  since  18(U). 

GARDNERTOWN    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

In  1825,  the  "George  Stanton's  class"  was  organized  into  a  church 
and  (Dec.  15)  Bin-roughs  "Westlake,  Joshua  Marston,  David  A^^  Gid- 
ncy,  Silas  B.  Gardner 
and  Robt.  Lockwoi>d 
were  chosen  "Trus- 
tees of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at 
Gai-dnei-town." —  A 
hoiise  of  worship  was 
erected  the  next  year 
tmd  was  dedicated  on 
the  20th  November. 

It  rem,uned  m  occ.i-        -:::^.i;^^..^^^^^^^- 
pation  until  Nov.  24,  u.uu.NEimnvN  m.  e.  .^^t^^h^^^T^ 

1858.  The  present  edifice  was  from  plans  by  E.  K.  Shaw.  It  was 
erec-ted  in  1858,  imder  contract  with  Thomas  Shaw  &  Sons,  at  a  cost 
of  S2,75(),  and  was  dedicated  Nov.  24:th.  It  is  a  simple  Gothic  chapel 
accommodating  about  four  hundred  persons.  The  society  was  for 
some  yeai-s  associated  in  a  cii-cuit  with  that  at  Little  Britain. 

ROSSATLLE    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

The  M.  E.  chui-ch  at  Eossville  was  organized  Oct.  8,  1830,  when 


♦"Dedication.— The  Methodist  Moetiiiii-lunisf,  to  be  known  by  the  uaine  of  the  -4.s-- 
hurii  (  hopel.  h\tely  erected  about  three  niiU's  north  of  this  vilhiffe,  was  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  Ahniglity  God,  on  Sabbath.  2'.)th  inst.  During  the  day  three  very  appropriate 
discourses  wore  deUvered.  Kev.  E.  Smith,  Rey.  A.  Scok-tieUl,  and  Itov.  S.  AruoUt  officiated 
oa  the  occasion — Political  Index,  Dec.  31,  1822. 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC. 


329 


F08TEBT0WN  M.  E.  CHURCH — 1859. 


Thomas  Aderton,  Alvah  Warin;^,  Wm.  Penny,  John  Bushfield,  Nehe- 

miah  Fowler,  Thomas  Bushfield,  and  Gilbert  Lockwood,  were  elected 

trustees.     The  edifice  now  occupied  by  the 

society  was  erected  in  1831.     It  is  30  by  42 

feet,  and  cost  originally  about  $00(i.     It  was 

consideraV)ly  improved  and  refurnished  and 

painted  in  1870.      The  society  cannot   be 

satisfafttorily  traced  to  any  of  the  original 

classes.     It  is  now  associated  with  the  M.  E. 

church  at  Pleasant  Valley,   Ulster  county, 


KOWHVII.LE  M.   K.  I'HL'UIH — iH'>'.>. 

in  the  support  of  a  minister.     The  parsonage  is  at  the  latter  place. 

FOSTEKTOWN    M.    E.    CHUUr;H. 

On  the  31st  Dec,  1833,  the  "Munson  Ward's  class"  was  organized 

us  the  M.  E.  church  at  Fostertown;  and 
David  Wyatt,  Jethro  Allison,  John  F.  Wil- 
liams, Jacob  Gillis,  and  Wm.  8.  Holmes, 
were  elected  trustees.  In  1834,  the  build- 
ing now  occujaed  by  the  s(jciety  was  erected 
and  was  dedicated  in  September  of  that 
year.  Like  its  contemporaries  of  the  pri- 
mitive Methodistic  era,  it  has  been  improv- 
ed since  its  original  dedication,  but  has  no  architectural  claims. 

SECOND    OR    ST.    JOHn's    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

The  organization  of  this  church  was  effected  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  Joseph  Longking,  Henr}'  Cornell,  and  James  Martin, 
who  proposed  t(j  the  trustees  of  the  1st  M.  E.  church  (1851;  that 
that  body  should  hire  iVjr  the  use  of  such  a  society  the  building  for- 
merly occupied  by  the  second  Presbyterian  churcli — the  applicants 
agreeing  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  del)t  then  existing  on  that  build- 
ing for  one  year.  The  trustees,  however,  declined  to  take  any  steps 
in  the  matter.  After  further  consideration,  and  with  the  approval  of 
the  i:)residing  elder  of  the  district  and  of  Rev.  A.  M.  Osbon,  the 
preacher  stationed  in  Newbiu-gh,  Mr.  Longking  and  his  associates  de- 
termined to  prosecute  the  enterprise;  and  in  compliance  with  their 
request  the  presiding  elder  appointed  Rev.  Aaron  F.  Palmer,  a  local 
deacon,  preacher  in  charge  until  the  ensuing  session  of  the  New  York 
Conference.  The  society  was  formally  organized  on  Sunday,  May 
23d,  1852,  at  the  residence  of  Mr.  Cornell,  at  which  time  certificates 
of  membership  were  received  from  seven  persons. 

Previous  to  this  time,  however,  arrangements  had  been  made  for  the 
use  of  the  sec(jnd  Presbyterian  church  edifice,  and,  on  the  9th  of 
June  foUo\\^ng,  Henry  Cornell,  James  Martin,  John  H.  Waters,  Nelson 
Austin,  and   Joseph   Longking,  were  unanimously  elected  trustees, 


330  JUSTOJIY  OF  NEWBimOH. 


and  the  articles  of  corporation  were  formed.  At  the  annual  session 
of  the  New  York  Conference  for  1852,  Rev.  Eufus  C.  Putney  was 
appointed  to  the  charge.  The  church  edifice  was  dedicated  on  the 
18th  of  June,  and  on  the  25th  of  that  month  the  society  had  a  mem- 
bership of  129  persons,  nearly  all  of  whom  had  been  previously  con- 
nected with  the  First  church. 

The  building-  wliich  had  been  rented  for  the  society  at  the  time  of 
its  organization,  was  purchased  by  its  trustees  in  March,  1853,  for 
$5,000,  which  was  principally  paid  by  subscriptions;  and  at  about 
the  same  time  arrangements  were  made  for  erecting  a  parsonage  and 
also  a  building  for  lectures  and  class  meetings.  These  buildings  were 
completed  Sept.  12th,  1853 — the  former  at  a  cost  of  $2,349,  and  the 
latter  at  $2,109.  The  building  was  badly  injured  by  fire  in  the  fall  of 
]  873,  and  in  the  summer  following  was  repaired  and  materially  im- 
proved at  a  cost  of  about  $7,000.  It  was  reopened  for  service  in  Oc- 
tober, 1874,  Bishop  Peck  conducting  the  exercises.  In  the  spring  of 
1876,  the  present  front  of  thirty-six  feet  with  towers,  was  added  (from 
plans  by  E.  K.  Shaw,  architect,)  at  a  cost  of  $10,000.  The  edifice  is 
now  one  of  the  most  thoroughly  modern  in  the  city.  The  principal 
fioor  has  seats  for  650  persons  and  the  Sunday-school  gallery  over  the 
vestibvde  for  300.  A  recess  in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit  accommodates 
the  choir  and  organ,  and  was  part  of  the  improvements  of  1874. 

The  society  adopted  the  title  of  "  St.  John's "  at  its  reopening  in 

1874.     The  following  have  been  its  pastors: 

Date.  Name. 

18.52-53  Rufus  C.  Putney. 

1854-55  L.  W.  Walsworth. 

1556-57  David  Buck. 

1858-59  E.  L.  Prentice. 

1860-()1  John  P.  Hermance. 

1862-63  Chas.  S.  Brown. 
1864  (3  mos.)   G.  H.  Gregory. 

THIKD    OR    GRACE    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

This  church  is  at  West  Newbui-gh,  on  Western  Avenue.  It  was  the 
outgrowth  of  the  Second  or  St.  John's  church,  and  especially  of  a 
mission  Sunday-school  estabHshed  under  its  auspices  in  1848.  The 
society  or  school  was  legally  organized  in  June,  1865,  when  P.  S. 
Haines,  James  Harrison,  C.  H.  Bond,  Jos.  W.  Bond,  F.  Klaproth, 
David  Gibb,  Chas.  Estabrook,  John  Haskins,  and  Chas.  L.  Brown 
were  elected  trustees.  The  regular  church  organization,  however, 
dates  fi-om  April  25th,  1868,  when  thii-ty  members  from  the  Second 
church  united  for  that  pui-pose.  The  building  of  a  church  edifice 
was  commenced  in  May,  1866,  and  the  basement  completed  and  occu- 
pied by  the  Sunday-school  and  by  a  fi-ee  school,  the  latter  under  the 
charge  of  the  Board  of  Education.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  the 
autumn  of  1867,  Rev.  J.  B.  Wakely  dehvering  the  address,  and  the 


Bate. 

Name. 

1864-66 

Thos.  B.  Smith. 

1867-68 

DeLoss  Lull. 

1869-70 

H.  H.  Birkins. 

1871-72 

W.  E.  Clarke. 

1873-74 

George  H.  Corey. 

1875-76 

L.  H.  King. 

I 


(mrucHEs,  snnooLs,  etc.  331 


edifice  was  completed  xinder  plans  by  J.  D.  Kelly,  architect.  It  was 
dedicated  Sept.  2d,  1868,  on  which  occasion  the  sermon  was  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Fletcher  from  Mark  ix.,  18,  19.  Dr.  McAllister  preached  in  the 
evening.  Rev.  Dr.  A.  M.  Osbon,  presiding-  elder,  had  principal  charge 
of  the  exercises  at  both  services.  The  structure  is  of  brick  and  in- 
cludes basement,  auditorium  and  choir  gallery;  it  is  in  neat  but  plain 
finish,  and  has  seats  for  about  400  persons.  It  is  35  by  61  feet;  lot 
66  by  105  feet — the  latter  presented  by  Messrs.  W.  R.  &  C.  L.  Brown; 
its  cost  was  about  $10,000.  A  parsonage  was  added  to  the  property 
in  1874,  at  a  cost  of  $3,500.  Rev.  Van  Ness  Traver  (1868)  was  the 
first  minister  in  charge.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  D.  W.  C  Van 
Gaasbeck,  and  the  latter  by  Rev.  Dr.  Osbon. 

ST.    PAULS    GERMAN    M.    E.    CHURCH. 

A  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  the  organization  of  a 
German  Reformed  chiu-ch,  was  held  in  the  lectxu'e-room  of  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  church  on  Sunday,  January  5th,  1868.  The  exercises 
were  conducted  by  Rev.  A.  Rahn,  and  resulted  in  the  constitution  of 
a  society  (Feb.  7)  under  the  title  of  "St.  Paul's  German  Reformed 
Church."  Mr.  Rahn  was  elected  pastor,  and  was  installed  on  Sunday, 
March  29th,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Schaff.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  the  society 
resolved  to  unite  with  the  Presb;yi.ery  of  North  River,  and  it  was  duly 
received  by  that  body  under  the  title  of  "  St.  Paul's  German  Presby- 
terian Church."  Soon  after  organization  the  society  purchased  a  site 
on  Johnston  street  near  Western  Avenue,  for  the  erection  of  a  church 
edifice,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  Sejotember  10th,  by  the 
Masonic  fraternity  in  Grand  Lodge  of  Ceremony.  The  building  was 
completed  and  dedicated  in  the  summer  of  1869.  Its  cost,  including 
lot,  was  about  $12,000,  and  its  capacity  sufficient  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  about  foiir  hundred  persons.  Mr.  Rahn  resigned  the  charge 
and  was  succeeded,  in  July,  1870,  by  Rev.  E,  Lubkert,  who  served  as 
supply  until  September  following,  when  he  was  installed  pastor  and 
continued  in  that  relation  until  the  28th  of  July,  1872.  His  resigna- 
tion was  mainly  in  consequence  of  a  union  which  was  effected,  in 
April  of  that  year,  with  the  Conference  of  the  M.  E.  church,  under 
which  it  was  agreed  by  the  trustees  of  Trinity  church  that  that  body 
would  assume  the  mortgage  debt  of  St.  Paul's,  amounting  to  about 
$4,500.  The  title  of  the  society  was  then  changed  to  "  St.  Paul's  Ger- 
man M.  E.  Church,"  and  its  pulpit  supplied  by  the  appointment  of 
Rev.  G.  Meyers.  A  subsequent  board  of  trustees  of  Trinity  chui'ch 
refused  to  carry  out  the  agreement  which  had  been  made,  on  the 
ground  that  the  action  which  had  been  had  was  illegal,  it  not  having 
been  in  compHance  with  a  vote  of  the  congregation.  This  conclusion 
compelled  St.  Paul's  to  submit  to  a  sale  of  its  propei"ty,  under  mort- 


332  HISTOEY  OF  NEWBUUGH. 


gage  foreclosiu-e,  in  187(!.    The  society  maintains  its  organization,  but 
its  permanency  is  probleniatii'iil. 

ST.  patiuc^k's  catholic  church. 

Tradition  and  written  testimony  give  the  date  of  tlie  first  service 
held  by  C'atholic  priests  in  Newburgh  as  1817,  when  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Ffrench  said  mass  at  the  house  of  INIr.  (lilmore  on  Western  Avenue. 
The  attendants  upon  his  ministrations,  which  were  only  occasiomvl, 
were  as  follows,  viz:  Mai'k  Mclntyre,  John  t'itzpatrick,  Henry  Gil- 
more,  Daniel  Devlin,  Dennis  McCool,  Enos  McAllister,  Michael  Bird, 
George  McC'ahill,  C'harles  Mackin,  Owen  McGahey,  Patrick  McGahey, 
and  Thomas  and  Hugh  Iviley,  and  thch-  families. 

Missionary  labors  were  continued  here  mitil  i82G,  when  the  present 
church  was  formed.  The  number  of  Catholics  did  not  then  exceed 
tliirty,  and  mass  was  said  every  six  nu>nths.  Soon  after  this  time  the 
Hev.  Philip  O'Reilly  was  stationed  on  the  Newburgh  district  and  said 
nuiss  here  once  every  month.  In  188(),  the  Rev.  Patrick  Duti'y  was 
appointed  to  the  station,  and  for  seventeen  yeai's  remained  Catholic 
pastor  of  Jsewburgh.  He  died  in  1858.  After  an  interval  of  one 
year,  dming  which  time  the  chmx'h  was  ministercti  to  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Giillagher,  the  Rev.  E.  J.  O'Reilly  was  appointed  pastor,  and  served 
until  June  1st,  1867,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  E.  S.  Briady. 

The  service  of  mass  was  first  siiid  in  j\lr.  Gilmore's  house,  as  already 
stated.  Afterw!U"ds,  luid  for  a  number  of  yeai's,  the  Mcintosh  house 
was  used  by  the  congregation.  In  1838,  the  preliminary  steps  were 
talveii  for  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice,  and  the  site  now  oci'upied 
was  puri'hased  by  sxibscriptions  from  resident  CathoHcs,  Jiided  by  out- 
side collections  and  contributions  from  members  of  other  denomina- 
tions. The  building  was  completed  tmd  opened  for  service  in  Decem- 
ber, 18-42.  Its  value  was  then  estimated  at  about  $12,000.  It  was  a 
stone  strui-ture,  about  100  by  GO  feet,  witli  no  ju'chitectural  features. 
It  was  neatly  fitted  up  with  pews  and  a  small  gallery,  had  an  orgjui, 
and  two  fine  oil  paintings  about  14  by  9  feet,  representing  the  bii'th 
!Uid  the  entombment  of  the  Sa\  iour,  painted  by  Rembrandt  Lockwood. 

In  1852,  a  field  was  purt-hased,  at  the  c-orner  of  First  and  Stone 
streets,  jxud  a  Cemetery  opened.  In  1854,  a  lot  was  purchased  ad- 
joining tlie  cluu-ch  and  a  pastoral  residence  erected  thereon — the 
house  and  lot  costing  about  $10,000.  The  year  1858  was  signalized  by 
the  erection  of  a  conunodious  schot)l-house,  situated  immediately  west 
of  the  i-hurch,  whic-h  was  completed  and  opened  on  the  2i)th  of  No- 
vember of  that  year.  The  school  was  instituted  in  1850.  In  1855,  a 
Library  Association  was  organized,  smd  some  000  volumes  collected. 
For  foiu-  years,  ending  with  Augiist,  1800,  tliis  association  pubhshed 
a  veiy  spirited  monthly  magixzine,  edited  by  the  late  John  Ashliui-st. 


(jinmaiiEs,  schools,  etc.  333 


A  Sabbath-8(^ho()l  and  other  orpfanizationH  peculiar  to  the  Catholic 
faith,  are  also  connected  with  the  church. 

In  1H()(),  th(^  cliurch  made  extensive  alterations  and  additions  to  its 
house  of  worship,  renderinj,'  it  one  of  the  finest  ectdesiastical  struc- 
tiires  on  the  Hudson.  Its  plan  is  in  the  style  known  as  the  decorated 
Gothic  of  the  1 3th  century.  The  buildinj^  is  c^rutdform,  the  front  or- 
namented with  pinnacles  and  parapets  of  rich  crochet  and  quatrefoil 
work.  A  tower,  surmounted  by  a  spire  of  open  tracery  work,  adorns 
the  front.  The  windows  are  of  heavy  ctarved  work  and  filled  with 
richly  stained  f^dass.  The  ceilinj^  is  arched  and  ril)bed,  and  tlie  finish 
throup;'hout  of  the  hifi;'hest  order.  The  plans  were  furnished  by  lieni- 
Vjrandt  Ijockwood,  and  the  work  executed  under  his  direction  by  J. 
Gill,  mason,  and  Little  &  KeUy,  carpenters.  The  following  are  the 
dimensions  of  the  building,  viz:  lenjifth,  150  feet;  len^h  of  transept, 
75  feet;  front,  55  feet  3  inches;  heif^ht  of  ceilin<y,  29  feet;  spire  135  feet. 

Durinpc  Father  Briady's  administration  the  <rhurch  edifice  and  the 
school-liouse  have  been  thoroughly  repaired  and  refurnished,  and  the 
parsonage  rebuilt — the  latter  in  18f59,  at  a  cost  of  $13,000.  In  1871, 
the  property  on  (^rand  street,  near  Wasliington,  was  purchased  and 
improved  at  a  cost  of  about  $15,000,  and  opened  (1872)  as  St.  Pat- 
rick's Orphan  Asylum,  under  the  management  of  Sisters  of  Charity. 
It  is  now  occupied  in  part  for  that  purpose  and  in  part  by  a  select 
school  for  young  ladies.  In  the  spring  of  1875,  a  plot  of  fifteen 
acres,  near  Muchattoes  hiU,  was  purchased  for  cemetery  purposes,  at 
a  cost  of  $7,200. 

ST.    MARV'S    CATHOLIC    CHUIMIH. 

In  March,  1875,  (m  the  application  of  a  number  of  members  of  St. 
Patrick's,  Archbishop  McCloskey  granted  an  order  dividing  the  origi- 
nal parish  and  constituting,  from  the  northern  part  of  its  territory, 
St.  Mary's  parish.  Rev.  M.  J.  Phelan,  formerly  of  Port  Ewen,  was 
appointed  pastor,  and  said  his  first  mass  in  the  parish  on  Easter- 
Sunday,  1875,  in  the  opera  house.  Property  was  soon  after  purc^has- 
ed  on  Gidney  Avenue  and  South  street,  for  $20,000,  and  mass  cele- 
brated in  the  mansion  on  the  premises.  In  May  following,  a  tempo- 
rary frame  building  for  church  purposes  was  erected,  costing  $3,500. 

Embraced  in  St.  Mary's  parish  is  the  Academy  of  Our  Lady  of 
Mercy  (a  branch  convent  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy  of  New  York), 
which  was  opened  at  Balmville  in  the  summer  of  1875. 

FIRST    IJNIVERSALIST    CONGRFXiATIONAL    CHURCH. 

The  facts  relative  to  the  early  efforts  for  the  introduction  of  IJniver- 
salism  in  Newburgh,  are  almost  wholly  traditional.  It  is  said  that 
thirty  or  forty  years  ago,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mitchell,  of  New  York  city, 
preached  here  a  few  times.     He  occupied  the  ball-room  of  the  old  Man- 


334 


HISTORY  OF  NEWS  URGE. 


sion  House,  and  it  is  remembered  that  he  always  had  a  medallion  hung 
on  the  wall  behind  his  pulpit,  on  which  was  inscribed,  in  letters  of 
gold,  "God  is  Love."  His  meetings  were  well  attended,  but  no  soci- 
ety was  formed,  and  the  effect  of  his  labors  was  only  transient.  Sub- 
sequently the  Eev.  Mr.  Parker,  of  Troy,  as  well  as  the  Kev.  Mr.  Lyon, 
of  New  York,  are  said  to  have  preached  to  small  audiences  here. 

In  1858,  a  few  friends  of  Universalism  resolved  to  make  an  attempt 
to  establish  the  ministry  of  that  faith  in  Newburgh,  and  for  that  pur- 
pose they  invited  the  Rev.  T.  Borden,  then  of  Hudson,  to  hold  service 
here.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  and  preached  his  first  discourse  in 
Newburgh  on  the  21st  November,  at  the  Court-house.  The  services 
were  well  attended;  and  on  the  22d,  a  meeting  of  those  friendly  to  the 
movement  was  held  and  a  committee  appointed  to  secure  a  regular 
supply  of  ministerial  labor.  The  informal  organization  continued  to 
gain  strength,  and,  on  the  21st  of  Februar}',  1859,  the  society  was 
regularly  organized,  in  accordance  vdth  the  statute,  under  the  title  of 
the  "  First  Universalist  Congregational  Church  of  the  Village  of  New- 
burgh."    In  October,  the  Rev.  W.  B.  Cook  was  chosen  pastor. 

The  services  of  the  socie- 
ty were  held  in  the  Court- 
house until  July,  1860.  In 
July,  1859,  a  lot  was  pur- 
chased on  Liberty  street, 
north  of  Farrington,  and 
the  erection  of  a  chiu'ch 
edifice  was  commenced.  It 
was  comjileted  in  1860,  and 
dedicated  on  Wednesday, 
Aug.  1st,  of  that  year.  It 
was  in  the  Italian  style  of 
architecture,  and  was  con- 
structed from  plans  drawn 
by  John  D.  KeUy,  of  New- 
burgh. It  was  neatly  fin- 
ished and  furnished  accom- 
modations for  about  three 
hundred  persons. 
The  society  failed  financially  in  1862.  In  1863,  the  church  edifice 
was  purchased  by  the  German  Catholics,  who  conducted  service  and 
held  a  school  in  it,  but  failed  in  effecting  a  permanent  organization. 
In  the  fall  of  1864,  the  Board  of  Education  purchased  it,  with  a  view 
to  convert  it  to  school  purposes;  but,  after  temporary  occupation,  sold 
it  (1865)  to  private  parties,  by  whom  it  was  removed. 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC  335 


CHUKCH    OF    OUR   FATHER. 

The  Church  of  Our  Father  may  be  denominated  the  successor  of 
the  UniversaHst  society,  formed  Feb.  21st,  1859.  On  the  last  Sunday 
of  July,  1867,  Rev.  Wm.  R.  G.  Mellen  commenced  Unitarian  worship 
at  the  Court-house  with  an  audience  of  twenty-five  in  the  morning 
and  thirty  in  the  afternoon.  Subsequent  services  were  held  hj  Mr. 
MeUen  and  other  preachers,  until  Feb.  15th,  1868,  when  the  Rev.  C.  B. 
Webster  was  elected  pastor.  On  the  7th  of  Jtdy  following  a  Unita- 
rian society  was  organized.  A  building  lot  was  soon  after  purchased, 
at  the  corner  of  South  and  Johnston  streets,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000,  and 
in  the  summer  of  1869,  a  church  edifice  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
$12,300.  This  building  is  in  the  early  Gothic  style — of  brick  with 
blue-stone  borders  and  granite  caps;  the  roof  is  supported  by  iron 
pillars  resting  on  brick  piers.  It  is  40  feet  by  60,  and  provides  seats 
for  four  hundred  persons.  A  small  pastor's  room  and  a  choir  gallery 
are  furnished  in  the  rear.  The  dedication  took  place  July  17th,  1870. 
Mr.  Webster  resigned  the  pastorate  in  1871,  and  Rev.  F.  W.  Holland 
became  his  successor  in  June  of  that  year.  The  principal  patrons  and 
founders  of  the  society  were  the  late  Josiah  S.  Young,  and  the  late 
John  P.  DeWint,  the  latter  a  resident  of  Fishkill. 

— In  addition  to  the  societies  already  enumerated,  the  First  Pres- 
byterian church  maintains  the  Bethel  Mission  on  Noi-th- Water  street, 
and  the  American  Reformed  church  the  Gleason  Mission  on  Western 
Avenue.  There  are  also  two  societies  of  colored  people — the  Shiloh 
Baptist  church  and  the  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Zion  church. 
The  latter  has  a  neat  edifice  on  Washington  street. 

COMPARATIVE    STATISTICS. 

Value  of      Seating     Average    Commu-      Salaries 
Church.  Year.     No.    Property*  Capacity     Attend.       nicants.     Ministers 

Baptist,. 1855. . .  .1. .  .  ..17,000 450 250 167     ...  $700 

1875. .  .  .2. .  .  .35,000 1300 GOO 402 3,300 

Methodist  Episcopal,. . .      1855. .  .  .6. .  .  .22,400 3200 1900 833 3,750 

1875. . .  .8.  .  .115,000 4000 3000 15.31t.  .  . .  7,600 

Presbyterian, 1855 1 8,000 600 400 247 1,000 

1875. .  .  .4.  .  .110,000 3500 2000 1215 9,000 

Assoc.  Refd.  Presb 1855 2. .  .  .  15,000 900 600 431 ...  .  2,000 

1875. . .  .1. .  .  .10,000 600 300 150 1,500 

Reformed  Presbyterian,. .  1855. . .  .2. . .  .14,000 1200 480 250 1,100 

1875. . .  .2. . .  .20,000 1200 600 416 3,300 

United  Presbyterian, ....    1875  .  .  .  1 8,000 475 300 218 1,.500 

Protestant  Episcopal,  .  . .    1855.    .  .1. .  .  .15,000 750 600 180 1,200 

1875. .  .  .2. .  .  .60,000 1500. . . .       800 547 7,000 

Refd.  Prot.  Episcopal,. . .   1875 1. .  . .   7,000 300 100 31§ 1,500 

American  Reformed, ....    1855 1 . . .  .  15,000 600 250 180  800 

1875. .  .  .1. .  .  .60,000 1000 600 500 3.000 

Roman  Catholic, 1855. .  .  .1. .  .  .15,000 800 700 (iOO 1,000 

1875. .  .  .2. . .  .70,000 1500 2500 4000 2,8001 

Unitarian, 1875. . .  .1. .  .  .12,000 400 200 100§ 1,200 

RECAPITULATION. 

Property.  Capacity.  Attend.  Commun.  Salaries. 

1855 $111,400 8,900 5,180 2,888  $11,500 

1875 507,000 15,775 11,000 9,113 41,700 

*  Estimated.         t  891  Probationers  in  addition.        |  Additional  from  fees.         §  New. 


336 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


THEOLOGICAL   SEMINAEY. 

The  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Associate  Keformed  chm*ch  Avas 
the  first  institution  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States.  There  were 
indeed  Professors  of  Divinity  (most  of  whom  were  connected  -with 
coUef^es)  who  were  accustomed  to  give  lectures  on  the  science  of 
Theology  to  such  students  as  pleased  to  attend;  but  there  was  no 
institution  expressly  designed  for  the  training  of  candidates  for  the 
ministry,  and  formally  organized  on  an  academic  basis,  in  existence 
in  this  country  previous  to  the  erection  of  this  Seminary. 

The  first  steps  towards  its  establishment  were  taken  by  the  Asso- 
ciate Reformed  Synod,  in  1796,  on  the  suggestion  of  one  of  its  young- 
est members,  Mr.  afterwards  Dr.  John  M.  Mason,  of  New  York,  then 
in  the  early  dawn  of  his  brilliant  career.  At  the  meeting  of  Synod, 
in  1796,  an  act  was  adopted  "  concerning  a  Sy nodical  Fimd,"  the 
main  object  of  which  fund  was  to  aid  poor  and  pious  youth  in  their 
studies  for  the  ministry,  and  to  maintain  a  Professorship  of  Theology. 
The  church  ^^as  small,  the  country  was  very  poor  in  those  days,  and 
the  growth  of  tlie  fund  was  necessarily  slow;  but  the  ideas  thrown 
out  by  Dr.  Mason  had  taken  root  in  the  minds  of  his  brethren,  and 
at  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1801,  it  was  resolved,  after  much  discus- 
sion, to  erect  a  Theological  Seminary  on  a  peciiliar  plan,  and  of  a 
higher  order  than  any  "  school  of  the  prophets  "  then  in  being.  Dr. 
Mason  was  sent  to  Great  Britain  to  ask  help  from  the  churches  of  the 
father  land,  and  he  obtained  the  handsome  sum  of  $5,500,  which  was 
chiefly  expended  in  the  purchase  of  a  noble  library.  Dr.  Mason  re- 
tiu'ned  in  1802,  and  was  unanimously  chosen  to  preside  over  the  in- 
fant institution,  which  Avas  at  first  located  in  New  York,  where  it  was 
opened  in  1805.  The  number  of  students  rapidly  increased,  and  con- 
sidering the  size  of  the  denomination,  it  continued  to  be  comparative- 
ly large,  until  the  suspension  of  the  Seminary  in  1821.  This  result 
was  mainly  OAving  to  the  failing  health  of  Dr.  Mason,  Avhich  had  com- 
pelled him  to  retire  from  a  sphere  in  which  he  had  spent  the  best 
years  of  his  life,  and  to  which  he  Avas  enthusiastically  devoted.  By  a 
vote  of  the  Greneral  Synod  of  the  church  in  1822  (Avhich  was  judicially 
declared  a  few  years  afterwai-ds  to  have  been  illegal),  the  library  Avas 
transferred  to  the  Seminary  at  Princeton. 

The  operations  of  the  Seminary  were  suspended  until  the  summer 
of  1829,  when  the  A.  R.  Synod  of  New  York  determined  to  resusci- 
tate the  institution  and  to  locate  it  at  Newburgh.  The  Rev.  Joseph 
McCarrell,  D.  D.,  of  Newburgh,  Avas  elected  Professor  of  Theology, 
and  the  Rev.  Drs.  John  McJimpsey,  Alex.  Proudfit,  Robert  Forrest, 
and  D.  C.  McLaren,  were  chosen  Superintendents.  During  the  fol- 
lowing year,  the  necessary  steps  were  taken  (after  sundry  fruitless 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS.    ETC.  337 


appeals  to  the  Gfeneral  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  church)  for  the 
recovery  of  the  library  and  funds  removed  to  Prin('etf>ii  in  1822,  and 
after  a  protracted  lawsuit,  they  were  restored  to  their  old  owners. 

Another  important  movement  was  made  in  1835,  viz:  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  suitable  edifice  for  the  accommodation  of  the  students  and 
professors.  For  so  small  a  body  as  the  Synod  of  New  York,  the  un- 
dertakin}^  was  an  almost  herculean  one.  Money  was  collected  from 
various  sources,  an  admirable  site  covering  thirteen  acres  of  land  was 
purchased,  and  a  charter  of  incorporation  was  granted  by  the  lef^isla- 
ture  of  this  state  on  the  25th  May,  I83(j.  The  trustees  named  in  the 
act  were  Hon.  John  Willard  of  Salem,  Hon.  Wm.  M.  Oliver  of  Penn 
Yan,  Hon.  Archibald  C.  Niven  and  Alpheus  Dimmick  of  Monticello, 
Hon.  Robert  Denniston  of  Salisbury,  Hon.  John  W.  Brown,  and  D. 
W.  Bate,  and  Daniel  Farrin<^on  of  Newburf^h,  James  Wau,ifh  and 
WiUiam  Wear  of  Little  Britain,  James  D.  Bull  of  Hamptonburgh, 
and  Benjamin  Parker  of  Kortrip^lit.  The  foundation  of  the  Seminarv 
was  laid  in  1837,'''  and  the  building"  was  completed  in  1839,  at  a  cost 
(including  land)  of  about  $25,()()(). 

In  1858,  an  orfjcanic  union  was  effected  between  the  Associate  Pi'es- 
byterian  cluirch  of  Nortli  America  and  the  Associate  Reformed  church, 
under  the  title  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church.  A  few  conj^rega- 
tions  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  New  York  refused  to  enter 
into  this  union.  These  laid  claim  to  the  Seminary;  but  by  a  suit  at 
law  it  was  decided  that  the  proj^erty  rightfully  belonged  to  that  por- 
tion of  the  Synod,  the  great  majority,  which  had  assented  to  the  union. 
In  1865,  the  Associate  Reformed  Synod  of  New  York,  the  legally  re- 
cognized owners  of  the  property,  took  measures,  in  cotij^cration  with 
the  United  Presbyterian  Synod  of  New  York,  for  recipening  the  insti- 
tution, and  elected  as  professors  therein  Rev.  J.  B.  Dales,  D.  D.,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  James  Harper  of  New  York.  On  the  2d  October, 
1867,  accordingly,  the  building  was  opened  again  for  the  training  of 
young  men  for  the  ministry,  and  now  has  students  from  nine  or  ten 
states.  The  number  of  bound  volumes  in  the  library  is  nearly  3600. 
The  professors  have  been  as  follows: 

Systematic  Theolo(/y — Kev.  John  M.  Mason,  D.  D.,  1805—1821.  Rev.  Alex.  Proiulfit,  D. 
D., '1820— 1821.  Rev.  Joseph  McCarrell,  D.  D.,  1829— 18G0.  Rev.  James  Harper,  D.  D., 
1867— now  Professor. 

Bihticnt  Literature Rev.  James  M.  Matthews,  1809-1816.  Rev.  James  Arbiickle,  As- 
sistant, 1820— 21.  Rev.  John  Forsyth,  Jr.,  1837-1845.  Rev.  David  L.  Proiulfit,  1810-42. 
Rev.  Robert  Stewart,  D.  D.,  1872— now  Professor. 

Church  History,  <fcc.— Rev.  John  Forsyth,  D.  D.,  1852-1859.  Rev.  J.  B.  Dales,  D.  D., 
1867— now  Professor. 


*  The  Theological  Seminary,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Associate  Reformed  church,  is 
now  permanently  located  in  Newburgh,  and  a  splendid  buildinp  for  its  accommodation  is 
about  to  be  erected  here.  The  plan  of  the  building — which  is  to  be  104  feet  front  by  40 
deep — is  by  Mr.  T.  M.  Niven,  and  the  site  selected  is  an  eminence  on  the  farm  lately  owned 
by  Henry  Walsh,  west  of  the  viMge.— Telegraph,  Feb.  23,  1837. 

022 


338  triS TOB  Y  OF  NEWB  UJi OH. 

PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 

Glebe  School — The  first  public  school  in  Newbiirgh  was  that  contem- 
plated in  the  charter  to  the  Glebe,  and  was  known  for  many  years  as 
the  Glebe  school.  The  time  at  which  it  was  first  opened  can  not  now 
be  ascertained,  but  it  was  probably  soon  after  the  settlement  of  the 
Rev.  Hezekiah  Watkins.  Nor  is  it  possible  to  determine  who  was 
the  first  school-master.  The  offices  of  minister  and  school-master,  how- 
ever, were  not  combined  in  one  person,  as  has  been  generally  supposed. 
This  is  evident  from  the  setting  apai-t,  of  a  lot  for  the  minister  and 
another  for  the  school-master,  and  the  erection  of  dwellings*  thereon 
respectively,  as  well  as  from  the  books  of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe. 
During  a  portion  of  the  time  that  Mr.  Watkins  held  the  office  of  min- 
ister, a  Mr.  Palmer  performed  the  duties  of  school-master. f  In  1768, 
Lewis  Donveur  conducted  the  school;];  in  1769,  Joseph  Penny;  and  in 
1773,  Thomas  Gregory. §  In  1774,  John  Nathan  Hutchins  was  em- 
ployed, and  continued  in  the  school  until  a  short  time  prior  to  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1782.  His  successor  was  Richard  King, 
who  served  from  September  18,  1782,  until  the  settlement  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Spierin,  in  1790.  Mr.  Spierin's  engagement  contemplated  the 
combining  of  the  two  offices  of  minister  and  school-master,  and  gave 
rise  to  the  difficulties  which  eventually  terminated  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Episcopal  church  over  the  Glebe.  ||  He  resigned  in  1793.  The 
records  of  the  trustees  fail  to  show  the  name  of  Mr.  Si:)ierin's  succes- 
sor, or  indeed  that  of  any  teacher  for  several  years.  It  is  probable, 
however,  that  the  school  was  conducted  in  the  Academy  from  1796  to 
1804,  dui'ing  which  time  the  latter  school  was  under  the  charge  of 
the  trustees  of  the  Glebe.  The  "act  to  amend  the  charter  of  the 
Glebe,"  passed  by  the  legislature  in  1803,  directed  that  "the  sum  of 
$200,  of  the  revenues  arising  from  the  Glebe,"  should  be  "paid  an- 

*  Engravings  of  the  buildings  referred  to,  will  be  found  on  page  128.  In  1778,  "  the 
house  and  barn,  and  that  part  of  the  school  lot  next  to  the  road,"  were  rented  to 
Richard  Albertson.  At  the  commencement  of  the  present  centui-}%  the  old  parsonage  was 
rented  to  the  town,  and  was  occupied  as  the  poor-house.— .4ccoM?t^.  Book  of  the  Glebe. 

+  "  Sept.  ye  18,  1765.  Then  settled  the  above  account  with  the  Executor  of  Hezekiah 
Watkins,  deceased,  and  with  the  school-master,  Palmci-,  in  full,"  &c.  (£19.  8.  0.) 

t  "Sept.  16,  1768.     Tlien  paid  Lewis  Donveur,  school-master,  ye  sum  of  £17  178  lOd." 

§  "  Paid  the  above  half  sum  to  Mr.  John  Sayres,  and  the  other  half  to  the  school- 
master, Thomas  Gregory,  for  me,"  .^;c — Accoimt  Book  of  the  Glebe. 

II  "Agreed,  that  the  Rev.  Geo.  H.  Spierin  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  the  whole  of  the 
rents  and  benefits  arising  from  the  Glebe  Lands,  while  he  continues  to  officiate  as  minis- 
ter, and  teach  the  children  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  German  patent  on  the  following  terms, 
^^z:  Reading,  Writing,  Arithmetic,  Geography,  History,  and  English  Grammar,  at  12s  per 
quarter;  Readmg,  Writing,  Arithmetic,  at  8s  per  quarter.  Provided  always,  that  no  chil- 
dren incapable  of  studying  the  above  branches  shall  be  admitted  or  received  into  the 
school.  And,  that  should  a  poor  child  come  properlv  recommended  as  such,  he  shall  be 
received  mto  the  Enghsh  school  gratis.  And  if  a  youth  of  stron?  natural  abihties  of  the 
like  description  ofTer,  he  shall  be  received  into  the  Classical  school  also  gratis.  Provided 
also,  that  should  the  rents  and  privileges  of  the  Glebe  hereafter  become  more  valuable, 
that  then,  in  such  case,  the  terms  of  teaching  the  children  living  on  the  patent  shall  be  re- 
duced in  such  manner  as  to  be  equivalent  to  said  advantages,  so  far  as  may  relate  to- 
wards the  supporting  of  a  school,  and  as  the  trustees  shall  deem  proper."— il/m.  Tt-uatees. 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC.  339 


nually  to  the  trustees  of  the  Academy;"  and  that  "the  remainder  of 
the  money  arising'  from  such  annual  income,"  should  be  "paid  to  the 
trustees  of  the  other  schools  which  are,  or  may  hereafter  be,  estab- 
lished on  the  Glebe,"'  as  the  inhabitants  should  direct.  The  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe  being  thus  terminated,  the  old  Glebe 
school  ceased  to  exist. 

No  division  of  the  revenues  from  the  Glebe,  as  required  by  the  act 
of  1803,  appears  to  have  been  made  until  1809,  when  what  was  called 
"the  juvenile  school  in  old  town,"  was  established.  This  school  was 
subsequently  known  as  the  Glebe  school,  from  the  fact  that  the  trus- 
tees of  the  Glebe  Avere  directed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  patent  to 
pay  to  it  that  poi-tion  of  revenues  not  appropriated  to  the  Academy. 
It  also  received  one  half  of  the  public  money  after  the  creation  of 
the  common  school  fund.  It  was  conducted  for  several  years  by 
Ebenezer  Adams;*  and  for  a  few  years  prior  to  1830,  by  John  P.  Tar- 
beU.  Mr.  John  Goodsell  succeeded  Mr.  Tarbell  and  continued  the 
school  until  1840  or  '47. 

The  tirst  building  occupied  by  the  school  was  that  previously  spoken 
of  as  the  "school-master's  house."  All  the  teachers  appear  to  have 
occupied  this  building  prior  to  1774.  Mr.  Ilutchins  and  Mr.  King 
(the  latter  at  least  part  of  tJie  time)  held  the  school  in  the  "parsonage 
house."  In  1789,  the  trustees  rented  a  house  for  the  school  from 
James  Van  Orsdall;f  and  Mi\  Spierin  held  it  in  a  house  which  now 
forms  part  of  the  late  residence  of  Charles  F.  V.  Reeve.  The  school 
(under  the  title  of  "the  juvenile  school  of  old  town"),  subsequently 
occupied  tlie  old  Lutheran  church,  where  it  was  continued  down  to 
1846  or  '47,  when  it  was  removed  to  the  Academy. 

On  the  6th  of  Ai^ril,  1848,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  to  divide 
school  district  No.  13,  and  to  erect  No.  15.  The  law  also  directed  the 
levying  of  a  tax  of  $5,000  upon  district  No.  13,  as  it  existed  prior  to 
the  passage  of  the  act;  and  that  $3,000  of  the  money  so  raised  should 
be  applied  to  the  extinguishment  of  a  debt  on  that  district,  and  that 
the  remainder  should  be  expended  in  the  erection  of  a  school  building 
in  district  No.  15.  The  trustees  of  the  new  district  were  also  em- 
powered to  receive  such  portion  of  the  Glebe  moneys  as  the  inhabi- 
tants should  direct  and  appl}^  the  same  to  the  reduction  of  rate  bills. 

*  Ebenezer  Adams  came  to  Newburgh  in  1807.  He  taught  at  the  Glebe  school-house, 
partly  on  the  Lancaster  system,  where  he  continued  for  ten  years,  giving  general  satisfac- 
tion. After  leaving  the  school  he  opened  a  grocery  store  in  Water  street,  between  John 
Brown's  and  John  McAuley's  store,  where  he  continued  until  his  death  in  1824.  He  was 
married  twice  and  had  six  children,  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 

t  The  trustees  purchased  new  furniture  for  the  school  at  this  time.  The  account  of  the 
treasurer  contains  the  following  items,  viz: 

"To  cash  paid  D.  Howell  for  boards,  &c.,  for  a  writing  table  for  the  school,    £0  .5s  Od 
"        "  Geo.  Gardner  for  1  lb.  nails  for  the  school,  0  Is  Od 

"        "  David  Howell  for  1  lb.  nails  for  the  school,  Q  Os  lid 

"        "  William  Nicols  for  5  slabs  for  seats  for  the  school,  0  7s  6d" 


340  HISTOnr  OF  MiWBURGH. 

The  new  district  was  immediately  organized  under  this  law;  and  a 
site  was  selected  and  the  erection  of  a  school  Inxildinpf  commenced. 
Before  the  building-  was  completed,  the  inhalntants  were  called  to  de- 
termine what  disposition  should  be  made  of  the  Glebe  revenues  be- 
yond the  amount  directed  by  law  to  be  paid  to  the  trustees  of  the 
Academy.  The  trustees  of  the  G-lebe  at  that  time,  viz:  John  Bev- 
ridge,  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  and  T.  M.  Niven,  proposed  that  the  unap- 
propriated balance  should  be  devoted  to  the  payment  of  scholarships 
in  the  Academy;  but  the  suggestion  was  not  favorably  received,  and, 
at  a  public  meeting  held  on  the  13th  of  April,  1849,  it  was  rejected. 
At  the  same  meeting  a  resolution  was  adopted  directing  the  trustees 
of  the  Glebe  to  pay  to  the  trustees  of  school  district  No.  15,  whatever 
revenue  might  be  derived  from  the  Glebe,  "over  and  above  the  sum 
required  by  law  to  be  paid  to  the  Academy."  The  resolution  also 
declared,  that  "the  said  district  school,  No.  15,  shall  hereafter  be 
known  as  the  Glebe  school;''  and  tliis  designation  continued  until  the 
adoption  of  the  present  free  school  system. 

-  Newhurgh  Academy. — The  Newburgh  Academy  was  erected  in  175)5- 
'6.  On  the  settlement  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Spierin,  in  171)0,  he  announced 
his  intention  to  open  "  an  Academy  for  the  instruction  of  youth  in  the 
Greek  and  Latin  languages,  and  the  different  other  branches  of  liter- 
ature;" and  with  a  view  to  encourage  the  establishment  of  a  school  of 
the  character  proposed,  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe  stated  that  "a  sub- 
scription would  be  set  on  foot  for  the  building  of  a  convenient  house 
for  a  Seminary."*  In  1791,  an  effort  was  made  to  carry  this  2:)romise 
into  effect,  and  to  that  end  an  apj^lication  was  made  to  the  legisla- 
ture for  permission  to  establish  a  lottery;  but  for  reasons  already 
stated,  the  application  failed.  The  trustees  again  took  up  the  matter 
in  1795;  and  succeeded  in  completing  the  building  in  1796.f 

The  institution  continued  under  the  charge  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Glebe  until  1804,  when  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  patent 


*  To  the  Public — The  Ecv.  George  H.  Spierin  liaving  lately  settled  at  Newburgh,  in  the 
county  of  Ulster  and  state  of  New  York,  on  the  lands  formerly  granted  by  the  govern- 
ment for  the  support  of  a  Minister  and  School— this-  is  therefore  to  inform  the  public  that 
he  proposes  opening  an  Academy  for  Ihe  instruction  of  youth  in  the  Greek  and  Latin  lan- 
guages, and  the  difterent  other  branches  of  Uterature,  so  soon  as  a  sufficient  nunibcr  of 
pupils  shall  offer  themselves.  Proper  accommodations  for  their  reception  will  be  i)repared. 
BoardiTig,  washing,  and  lodging,  at  £20  per  year,  (or  $1  i)er  week),  and  £5  for  tuition.  A 
suliscriution  will  be  set  on  foot  for  the  building  of  a  convenient  house  for  a  S(^iui!iary,  and 
in  the  meanwhile  convenicmt  rooms  for  tlu^  juirposc  will  l)e  provided.  The  agreealile  and 
heidthy  situation  of  the  town  of  Newburgh,  its  easy  communication  with  every  state  in 
the  Union,  witb  various  other  concurring  circumstances,  render  it  a  most  desirable  s])ot 
for  such  an  institution.  (Ventlemcu  inclining  to  encourage  this  undertaking,  will  be  kind 
enough  to  siguilv  the  same  l)y  sending  their  names  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Spierin,  or  to  Isaac 
Eclknap  and  Cadwallader  Golden,  Trustees  of  G\Ghe.— Adv.  Goshen  A't^w.s.,  July  13, 1790. 

t  It  has  been  generally  supposed  that  the  Academy  was  erected  by  individual  subscrip- 
tions, but  the  records  of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe  do  not  confirm  this  tradition.  If  sub- 
scriptions were  made,  they  w^ere  very  Umited  in  amount.  The  account  of  Andrew  Lyons, 
the  builder,  only  reached  £350,  and  of  this  sum  Hugh  Walsh  advanced  £215,  and  was  not 
fully  paid  in  several  years,  as  appears  by  his  ledger  account. 


CHURCHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC 


341 


was  held  (June  2d),  at  wliicli  the  followinp^  persons  were  elected 
"trustees  to  take  oharo'e  of  the  school  in  the  Academy,"  viz:  James 
Bate,  Antliony  Davis,  William  W.  Sackett,  Daniel  Birdsall,  James 
Coulter,  William  Ross,  Ilichard  Hvidson,  Charles  Clinton,  and  Edward 
Howell.  In  1S()(!,  it  was  incoi'2:)orated  under  the  general  statute  of 
the  state.  The  trustees  named  in  the  charter  were  Daniel  Niven,  Jas. 
Hcrimgeour,  Danl.  Birdsall,  Jonas  Storey,  Abm.  Schultz,  David  Fowler, 
John  Johnston,  John  McAuley,  John  Brown,  Hugh  Spier,  Derick 
Amerman,  Wm.  Ross,  and  Daniel  C.  Verplanck. 

The  names  of  the  first  and  of  several  of  the  suc<tecding  teachers  of 
the  Academy,  cannot  now  he  ascertained.  In  1799,  Sanil.  Nicholson 
was  principal,  and  John  (Hllespie  was  assistant;  1802,  James  Lawre- 
niore,  principal;  1808-4,  Nathan  H.  White;  1805,  Joel  Cooper;  180G, 
Mr.  Brackett;  1807,  R.  W.  Thompson;  1809,  Jabez  Munsel.*  The 
more  recent  principals  were  Luther  Halsey,  Rev.  J.  T.  Halsey,  E.  C. 
Benedict,f  E.  Burt,  J.  Stark,  Edgar  Perkins,  Rev.  Dr.  Prime,  and  Rev. 
R.  B.  Hall.  The  school  was  especially  successfvilly  conducted  during 
the  administrations  of  Mr.  Halsey,  Mr.  Perkins,  and  Mr.  Prime. 

The  Academy  building  is  located  on  the  west  side  of  Montgomery 
street,  a  short  distance  north  from  South  street.  When  it  was  erected 
only  the  principal  floor 
Avas  finished  for  school 
purposes.  In  1798,  the 
courts  of  the  county  were 
directed  by  law  to  be  held 
at  Newburgh  and  at  Go- 
shen alternately,  and  for 
their  accommodation  the 
uiJi^er  floor  was  finished. 
A  stairway  was  placed  on 
the  north  side,  and  two 

jury  rooms,  a  hall,  and  NKWBuu.m  academy-1857. 

court-room  occupied  the  floor.  Coiirts  were  held  here  from  1798  until 
1843,  or  about  forty-tive  years.  The  court-room  was  also  used  for  j)ub- 
lic  meetings;  the  general  and  town  elections  were  held  there,  and,  as 
has  been  ^^Iready  shown,  it  was  the  cradle  of  several  of  the  churches 
of  the  city.  A  few  changes  have  since  been  made  in  the  external  ap- 
pearance of  the  building,  as  weU  as  in  its  internal  arrangement.  It 
is  now  held  by  the  Board  of  Education,  and  is  occupied  l)y  the  senior 
or  academic  department  of  the  public  schools. 

*  Mr.  Munsel  removed  to  Kingston,  in  1812,  and  was  principal  of  tlie  Academy  there. 

t  E.  C.  Benedict  studied  law  with  Betts  &  Bellinaii.  He  removed  to  New  Yorlv;  was  one 
of  the  members  of  Assembly  in  18C4,  and  was  a  leading  member  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion of  that  city. 


342  Jlf!^ TOR  V  OF  NE WB  UJi 0 H. 


High  School. — This  institution  was  incorporated  April  23d,  1829, 
and  was  constituted  the  common  school  for  district  No.  13,  which 
then  embraced  the  whole  village  of  Newburgh.  For  the  erection  of 
a  school  building,  $1,400  was  raised  by  a  tax  on  the  inliabitants  of 
the  district,  and  $3,(500  by  a  loan  which  was  divided  into  shares  of 
$25  each.  The  building  was  completed  and  opened  for  scholars  in 
February,  1830,  at  which  time  John  P.  Tarbell  and  Miss  Mary  Ross 
were  employed  as  teachers.  The  following  persons  composed  the  first 
boai-d  of  ti-ustees,  viz:  Wm.  M.  Wiley,  Edmiand  Sanxay,  and  James 
Belknap;  Thos.  C.  Ring,  clerk,  and  David  M.  DuBois,  collector. 
OrviUe  M.  Smith  succeeded  Mr.  Tarbell  in  1834,  and  held  the  position 
of  principal  with  great  cretlit  until  the  close  of  the  December  term  in 
1848,  when  he  resigned.  His  successor,  James  P.  Brown,  served  until 
March,  1852,  when  S.  G.  McLaughlin  was  appointed  jDrincipal  and  held 
that  position  until  the  system  of  free  schools  was  established  and  the 
old  organization  dissolved.     The  building  was  removed  in  1872. 

Free  Schoolft. — The  movement  which  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the 
present  free  school  system,  was  commenced  in  the  spring  of  1851, 
when,  by  the  passage  of  the  general  free  school  law,  the  necessity  of 
furnishing  increased  school  accommodations  was  thi'own  upon  the 
trustees  of  the  several  school  districts.  Witli  a  view  to  meet  the  re- 
quu'ements  of  the  new  system,  and  to  extend  the  jjrinciple  upon 
which  it  was  founded  beyond  the  provisions  of  the  state  law,  so  far 
as  the  viUage  of  Newburgh  was  concerned,  Moses  H.  Belknap,  Nelson 
Haight,  and  Robt.  Sterhng,  trustees  of  district  No.  13,  and  John  Bev- 
ridge,  A.  Gerald  Hull,  and  Nathan  Reeve,  trustees  of  district  No.  15, 
held  a  joint  meeting  in  May  and  passed  the  following  resolution,  viz: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  inhabitants  of  the  viUage  of  Newburgh  be  invited  to  attend  a 
meeting,  to  be  lield  at  Washington  Hall  on  Monday  evening,  the  12th  inat.,  to  consider  the 
propriety  of  applyiuy  to  the  next  Legislature  for  a  law  to  unite  the  whole  village  in  one 
district — to  make  all  schools  in  the  district  free  schools— the  same  to  be  under  the  charge 
of  a  Board  of  Education  to  be  elected  by  the  people,  in  manner  similar  to  other  cities  and 
villages  in  the  state." 

At  the  meeting  held  pursuant  to  this  resolution,  Mr.  Haight  and 
Mr.  Reeve  united  in  a  report  shoAving  the  necessity  for  increased 
school  accommodations,  and  proposing  a  system  of  free  schools  and 
the  establishment  of  a  fi-ee  academy.  The  report  was  accepted,  but 
definite  action  was  postponed  until  the  23d,  for  the  pm-pos^  of  ascer- 
taining the  probability  of  securing  the  cooperation  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Academy,  with  a  view  to  make  that  institution  the  free  academy 
suggested.  Mr.  Reeve  then  submitted  the  di-aft  of  a  law  for  the  pui'- 
poses  embraced  in  the  report,  wliich  was  referred  to  a  committee  for 
examination. 

The  meeting  held  on  the  23d  adopted  the  plan  proposed,  and  the 
trustees  of  the  Academy  signified  theii*  willingness  to  unite  in  the 


nnUECHES,    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  343 


movement.  In  this  shape  the  subject  remained  until  February  27, 
1852,  when  it  was  a{>ain  considered  at  a  pubHc  meetinf^-  and  the  law 
prepared  in  1851  approved.  On  the  Gth  of  April,  the  "  Act  to  provide 
for  the  establishment  of  Free  Sc^hools  in  the  villapfe  of  Newburj^h," 
passed  the  legislature;  and  the  Academy,  the  High  school,  and  the 
Glebe  school,  ceased  their  separate  organizations. 

The  first  election  under  the  law  of  April  6th,  was  held  on  the  3d  of 
May,  when  John  Bevridge,  John  J.  Monell,  Nathl.  Jones,  Chas.  F.  V. 
Eeeve,  Geo.  W.  Kerr,  D.  G.  Leonard,  L.  B.  Gregory,  Eev.  John 
Brown,  and  Thos.  C.  Ring,  were  chosen  "trustees  of  common  schools," 
and  constituted  "  The  Board  of  Education  of  the  Village  of  New- 
burgh."  The  first  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  May  12th,  when 
its  organization  was  completed  by  the  election  of  John  Bevridge  pre- 
sident, and  Nathaniel  Jones  clerk. 

The  schools  were  soon  after  rei  Organized  under  what  is  known  as 
the  graded  system.  The  Academy  was  made  the  senior  or  highest 
department,  and  intermediate  and  primary  schools  were  opened  in 
the  High  scthool  and  in  the  Glebe  school.  The  accommodations  for 
the  attendance  of  pujDils  were  soon  after  materially  increased  by  the 
erection  of  a  commodious  building  on  Washington  street;  the  Glebe 
school  building  was  enlarged,  and  a  building  for  a  primary  school 
fitted  up  adjoining  the  Academy;  a  school  for  colored  children,  and  a 
system  of  evening  schools,  were  also  estabHshed.  Several  changes 
have  since  been  made.  The  senior  department  is  now  substantially 
academic,  the  intermediates  are  grammar  schools,  the  grade  of  the 
primaries  has  been  raised,  and  the  colored  school  abolislied.  Three 
modem  buddings  have  been  erected,  and  two  enlarged.  Six  build- 
ings are  now  in  occupation,  with  accommodations  for  3000  pupUs.* 
The  value  of  school  property  in  18(50  was  $40,000;  in  1875,  $185,000. 

— In  addition  to  the  free  schools  of  the  city,  there  are  in  the  town 
fourieen  school  districts  under  the  general  school  law  of  the  state. 
A  free  school  is  also  maintained  by  St.  Patrick's  church,  to  which 
moi"e  extended  reference  has  already  been  made. 

PRIVATE    SCHOOLS. 

Very  creditable  private  schools  have  been  conducted  at  different 
periods.  The  first  of  this  class,  with  the  exception  of  that  opened  by 
Mr.  Spierin,  was  established  by  Rev.  Jonathan  Freeman  and  SHvanus 
Haight,  April  17,  1802,  under  the  title  of  Cliosophic  Hall.  It  was  a 
boarding  and  day  school,  and  was  held  in  the  building  now  No.  169 

*  The  South  street  building  was  erected  in  1866,  dnd  cost  (including  furni'ure)  $35,830. 
The  West  Newburgh  building  was  erected  in  1867,  at  a  cost  of  $16,795.60.  The  Washing- 
ton street  building  was  enlarged  in  1869  and  again  in  1873,  and  (with  original  expenditure) 
cost  $25,639.36.  The  Grand  street  building  was  erected  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $37,072.91. 
The  Clinton  street  school  was  enlarged  in  1870,  at  a  cost  of  $6,738.92.  The  Library  build- 
ing (now  erecting)  has  an  estimate  cost  of  $25,000.    Total,  $147,076.35. 


3,j.4  iriSTOh'  V  OF  ,\E\VBUn(lll. 

Montgomery  street.  Miss  Heffernan  succeeded  Mr.  Freeman  in  1804, 
and  established  the  tirst  pm-ely  female  school.  A  private  school  con- 
ducted by  Eobert  Gardiner,  about  the  same  time,  attracted  a  fair 
l>!itronag-e.  Mrs.  DeVendel  followed  Miss  Heffernan  in  1S'20,  and 
subsc'qu(nitly  shuilar  schools  by  the  Misses  Phillips,  the  Kev.  Mr.  Ilay- 
uiond,  Mr.  A.  Barker,  and  others;  one  of  some  note  is  now  con- 
ducted by  INIiss  Mackie.  Joel  Turrill,  subsequently  distinguished  in 
politics  in  western  New  York,  had  a  select  school  for  yoim^-  men  in 
ISKi.  llcv.  Sand.  Phinney,  IMr.  Alzamora,  and  M.  L.  Domanski,  had 
similar  schools  subsequently ;  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  H.  S.  Banks. 
A  mixed  school  on  Smith  street,  known  as  the  Newburgh  Institute  was 
condiicted  for  several  years  l)y  John  J.  Brown.  In  1858,  Mr.  W.  N. 
lieid  purchasinl  the  building  erected  in  1887,  fin*  a  boardinj^'  house  in 
connection  with  the  Academy,  and  established  a  boardinj^  and  day 
school,  which  he  continued  a  few  years.  The  most  prominent  of  the 
private  schools  at  the  present  time  (187(5)  is  that  established  by  Prof. 
H.  AV.  Siglar  in  18(k},  and  known  as  the  "Newburgh  Institute."  It 
occupies  the  stone  school-buildin<>"  erected  some  yeju's  since  on  the 
Theologicid  Seminai-y  property,  and  lirst  occupied  by  Mr.  Saunders. 

PUBI-IO    I.IBKAUIES. 

Ncwbioyh  Libranj  Axaociatmi. — The  Newburj^h  Library  Association 
was  organized  Decend)er,  1885,  by  stock  subscriptions.  A.  J.  Down- 
ing, Abm.  M.  Smith,  John  \V.  Knevels,  J.  J.  MoneU,  M.  V.  B.  Fowler, 
D.  G.  Leonard,  and  Alfred  Post  were  the  first  trustees.  A.  J.  Down- 
ing, president;  Alfi-ed  Post,  treasurer;  Chas.  U.  Cushman,  librarian. 
The  tirst  books  held  by  the  association  were  donated  to  it  by  indi- 
viduids.  Subsequently  funds  were  raised  by  fairs.  In  1838,  a  regatta 
for  the  benefit  of  the  library  yielded  $300 ;  and  during  the  same  yeai', 
Abm.  M.  Smitli,  by  will,  gave  $5UU  to  the  association.  It  continued 
in  existence  until  184:7,  when  it  was  united  with  the  Mechanics'  Li- 
brary Association. 

Newburgh  Mevhanicf!'  Libranj  Association. — This  association  was  or- 
ganized Nov.  27,  1838,  by  the  joint  exertions  of  a  few  individuals  who 
felt  deeply  the  necessity  for  an  institution  which  shoidd  combine  the 
advantages  of  a  well-selected  libriu-y  with  that  of  a  debating  society. 
A  plan  of  organization  lla^  ing  been  agreed  iipon,  a  meeting  of  the 
mechanics  of  the  village  was  cidled  at  Nicholson's  hotel,  on  Wednes- 
day evening,  Dec.  5th.  At  tliis  meeting,  which  was  well  attended,  a 
constitution  was  adopted  and  officers  for  the  association  elected. 

The  minutes  of  the  association  date  from  Dec.  4,  1839;  hence  the 
names  of  its  tirst  officers  do  not  appear.  The  officers  elected  in  1839 
Avere  as  foUoAvs:  President,  Miles  Warren;  vice  presidents,  Charles  U. 
Cushman,  D.  H.  Barclay;  recortling  secretary,  John  R.  Wiltsie;  cor- 


CHURCHES.    SCHOOLS,    ETC.  345 


responding  secretary,  John  Caughey;  librarians,  Eobt.  Sterling,  John 
Little,  Jr.;  treasurer,  John  B.  Jamison;  executive  committee,  Robert 
Sterling,  John  Filkins,  E.  G.  Woolsey,  C.  S.  Russell,  Jas.  S.  Young. 

On  the  29th  March,  1842,  the  association  was  incorporated,  by  an 
act  of  the  legislature,  under  the  name  of  the  "  Newburgh  Mechanics' 
Library  Association,"  for  the  "purpose  of  establisliing  and  main- 
taining a  library,  reading  room,  literary  and  scientific  lectures,  and 
other  means  of  promoting  the  moral,  intellectual  and  mechanical  im- 
provement" of  its  members. 

The  association  established  its  first  course  of  public  lectures  Janvi- 
ary  5th,  1840,  and  continued  them  annually  until  1858.  The  library 
of  the  association  was  collected  by  the  contribvition  of  books,  and  by 
purchases  made  from  the  proceeds  of  several  fairs.  On  the  28d  Sep- 
tember, 1847,  an  arrangement  was  effected  with  the  stock-holders  of 
the  Newl)urgh  Lil)rary,  by  which  the  books  and  proi)erty  of  the  asso- 
ciation were  transferred  to  the  Mechanics.  This  arrangement  estab- 
lished a  library  of  upwards  of  IJOOO  volumes,  which  was  continued 
until  1861,  when,  public  attention  having  been  called  to  the  subject 
in  a  series  of  articles  in  the  N(nv.<!,^-  it  was,  by  the  unanimous  concur- 
rence of  the  members,  united  with  the  school  library  and  the  founda- 
tion of  the  present  free  library  established. 

Newburgh  Free  Library. — By  the  act  establishing  the  present  system 
of  free  schools,  the  several  school  district  libraries  of  the  village  were 
consolidated,  and  a  single  library  established.  The  collection  embra- 
ced some  20UU  volumes,  principally  standard  works.  By  subsequent 
purchases  the  number  was  increased  to  about  5000.  In  1861,  a  union 
was  ett'ected  with  the  Mechanics'  Library  Association,  by  which  a  ma- 
tei'ial  addition  was  secured;  and  in  1865,  by  an  amedment  to  the  fi-ee 
school  law,  the  library  thus  formed  became  the  Newburgh  Free  Li- 
brary, with  power  in  the  Board  of  Education  to  provide  for  its  main- 
tenance by  tax.  During  the  year  1860,  a  very  neat  library  building 
was  erected,  on  Grand  street,  by  the  Board  of  Education,  and  was 
occupied  until  its  removal  in  1874.  A  more  costly  and  commodious 
building  is  now  (1876)  in  process  of  erection. 

— In  addition  to  the  public  libraries  named,  there  are  in  the  town 
fourteen  school  district  libraries;  and  the  Sunday-school  libraries  of 
the  several  churches  probably  embrace  not  less  than  6000  volumes. 
The  library  of  the  Theological  Seminary,  embracing  some  3600  vol- 
umes, is  also  located  here.  A  small  library  in  connection  with  St. 
Patrick's  church  has  been  referred  to  elsewhere. 

NEWSPAPERS    AND    OTHER    PUBLICATIONS. 

The  first  paper  published  in  Newburgh  was  the  Newburgh  Packet; 
*  I'iles  of  Daily  News ;  also  report  of  Board  of  Education  for  1865. 


346  HISTORY  OF   NEWBUnOIL 

it  was  printed  by  Lucius  Carey  in  1795.*  It  is  said  to  have  been  pur- 
chased by  David  Denniston  in  1797,  who  changed  its  name  to  The 
Mirror,  of  which  Philip  Van  Home  (1797)  and  Jos.  W.  Barber  (1799) 
were  the  printers.  In  1799,  Jacob  Schultz  removed  to  Newburgh  the 
New  Windsor  Gazette,  the  name  of  which  he  changed  to  the  Orange 
Countii  Gazette.-\  This  paper  was  purchased  by  David  Denniston,  and 
its  name  changed  to  The  C'itizen.X  In  1799,  the  Rights  of  Man  was 
estabhshed  by  EHas  Wintield,§  for  whom  it  was  printed  by  Benoni 
H.  HoweU.  II  This  paper  was  also  purchased  by  David  Denniston 
and  The  Citizen  incorporated  with  it.  The  Recorder  of  the  Times  was 
commenced  by  Dennis  Coles,  in  1803.  The  Mirror  was  absorbed  by 
the  Right!<  of  Man  in  1804;  and  the  latter  by  the  Recorder  in  1805. 
On  the  10th  of  April,  180(),  the  Recorder  was  pvu-chased  by  Ward  M. 
Gazlay  and  the  name  changed  to  the  Political  Index,  under  which  it 
was  continued  until  1829. 

The  Mirror  and  the  Citizen  were  the  advocates  of  Paine's  infidel 
teachings.  The  Gazette  was  anti-infidel.  The  Righti<  of  Man  was  more 
especially  devoted  to  the  interests  of  that  branch  of  the  republican 
party  of  which  Jefferson  was  the  representative.  The  Recorder  of  Die 
Times  claimed  to  be  republican,  but  was  generally  regarded  as  rep- 
resenting "the  Federalists  and  Burrites."  ^    The  Political  Index  appa- 

*  It  has  hitherto  been  supposed  that  the  Mirror-wsiB  the  first  paper  printed  in  Newburgh. 
Tlie  publication  of  the  Packet  was  revealed  accidentally.  In  1850,  a  family  of  strangers, 
while  moving  through  the  village,  dropped  a  bundle  from  their  loaded  wagon.  The  pack- 
age was  not  observed  until  after  the  family  had  crossed  the  river  on  the  ferry.  On  exami- 
nation it  proved  to  be  a  tile  of  the  J'achft'.  The  thoughtless  hands  into  which  it  had  fallen 
soon  divided  it  up  among  friends,  and  scattered  it  beyond  the  possibility  of  recovery. 
The  copy  which  was  preserved  was  dated  Tuesday,  Feb.  20,  1795.  It  contained  an  ac- 
count of  a  fire  which  "  broke  out  in  the  store  of  Mr.  John  McAuley,  but  by  the  exertioas 
of  the  citizens  the  flames  were  happily  extinguished  without  any  material  damage  to  the 
building;"  and  forcibly  urged  the  necessity  of  having  an  "Engine  in  town."  Among  the 
advertisers  were  the  names  of  John  Harris — then  but  a  short  time  in  business — Robert  E. 
Burnet,  Levi  Dodge,  Wm.  MilUr,  Gen.  James  Clinton,  Isaac  Hasbrouck,  and  Hugh  Walsh. 

t  The  publication  of  this  paper  was  commenced  Nov.  10,  1797,  in  the  village  of  New 
Windsor.  Abraham  Lott  was  the  printer  for  Mr.  Schultz.  The  title  of  the  paper  was  re- 
vived and  its  publication  re-commenced  by  Gabriel  Denton,  at  Goshen,  in  1805. 

i  This  statement  is  on  the  authority  of  the  late  Jacob  Schultz.  It  is  possible  that  his 
recollection  was  confused  with  the  title  of  Mr.  Denniston's  New  York  paper. 

§  Elias  Winfield,  the  first  editor  of  the  Rights  of  Man,  was  a  physician  and  druggist, 
and  made  himself  somewhat  notorious,  in  1803,  by  his  advocacy  of  the  theory  that  the 
yellow  fever  was  of  "  domestic  origin,"  and  that  it  was  "  not  a  contagious  disease." 

David  Denniston,  his  predecessor  as  well  as  successor  in  editorial  life,  was  a  man  of 
strong  character,  and  a  radical  in  religion  as  well  as  politics.  He  became  notorious 
through  his  writings  in  The  Mirror  in  opposition  to  Christianity,  and  subsecpiently  through 
the  Iii(jhts  of  Man  in  pohtical  literature.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  very  busy  man  m 
printing  newspapers,  having  at  ditterent  times  held  Tlir  Mirror,  The  Citizen,  and  the 
liiilhtt!  of  Man,  in  the  local  field,  and  for  a  time  (1802)  had  editorial  connection  with  the 
American  Citizen  and  Watch  Tower  of  New  York.  His  occupation  was  that  of  a  printer 
and  book-binder.  His  office  was  located  on  the  north-west  half  of  lot  No.  5  of  the  town- 
ship of  Washington  (now  about  No.  74  Water  street).  The  building  was  burned  in  1817- 
It  was  then  occupied  by  B.  F.  Lewis  as  a  bookstore  and  bindery.  He  died  in  Newburgh, 
Dec.  13, 1803,  of  "malignant  fever." 

II  Dennis  Coles  printed  it  in  1802 ;  Robt.  Hinchman  in  1803,  and  Thos.  Wilson  in  1804. 
The  precise  date  of  its  discontinuance  is  not  known. 

ir  "The  pretended  republicans  of  Orange  County,  not  satisfied  with  the  Bights  of  Man, 
pubhshed  at  Newburgh  by  Mr.  Denniston,  have  established  a  new  paper  called  the  Becor- 
der  qt  the  Times."— Friend  of  Truth.  Aug.  1803. 


CHURCHES.  SCHOOLS,  ETC  347 


rently  consolidated  the  interests  of  the  republican  party.  It  gave  a 
hearty  support  to  the  administration  of  Jefferson  and  of  Madison, 
and  to  the  war  of  1812.  Its  political  articles  were  mainly  from  the 
pen  of  Jonathan  Fisk,  one  of  the  most  able  men  of  the  period.  Its 
only  competitor  was  the  Orange  Coimty  Patriot  and  Spirit  of  '7G,  a 
paper  of  federal  or  anti-war  politics,  a  new  series  of  which  was  com- 
menced at  Newburgh,  in  1812,  by  Lewis  &  Crowell.  It  was  subse- 
quently removed  to  Goshen,  from  whence  it  came. 

The  Political  Index  was  purchased,  in  1829,  by  Charles  U.  Cushman, 
who  changed  its  name  to  the  Orange  Telegraph,  and,  subsequently,  to 
the  Newburgh  Telegraph.  It  continued  under  the  management  of  Mr. 
Cushman  until  October,  1839,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Henry 
H.  Van  Dyclc.  In  the  winter  of  1840,  Elias  Pitts  became  the  editor, 
and  continued  the  publication  of  the  paper  until  May  1,  1850,  when 
it  was  purchased  by  E.  M.  Ruttenber.  Mr.  Ruttenber  sold  the  estab- 
lishment to  Joseph  Lawson,  Oct.  1,  1857;  re-purchased  it  May  1,  1859, 
and  sold  it  in  1861  to  E.  W.  Gray,  who  sold  to  Geo.  M.  Wan-en  (1864), 
who  sold  to  Isaac  V.  Montanye  (1864),  who  sold  to  E.  M.  Ruttenber 
(1865),  who  sold  to  A.  A.  Bensel  (1867),  who  sold  to  J.  J.  McNaDy 
(1869),  who  sold  to  Dr.  Cooper  (1874),  who  sold  to  N.  H.  Schram. 
The  latter  was  succeeded  by  E.  J.  Horton  in  1875. 

The  jDublication  of  the  Newburgh  Gazette  was  commenced  by  John 
D.  Spalding,  June,  1822.  Its  subsequent  publishers  were  as  foUows: 
Spalding  &  Parmenter,*  from  1825  to  1832;  Knevels  &  Spalding, 
1832  to  1836;  Knevels  &  Leslie,!  1«^6  and  1837;  Wallace  &  Sweet, 
1837  and  1838;  Samuel  T.  CaUahan,  1838  to  1852;  William  L.  AUi- 
son,  1852  to  1855;  Royal  B.  Hancock,  1855  to  February  1856,  when 
Eugene  W.  Gray,  became  the  proprietor.  In  the  summer  of  1856, 
Mr.  Gray  commenced,  in  connection  with  it,  the  publication  of  the 
Daily  News,  mainly  designed  for  political  purposes,  and  continued  it 
until  December.  He  again  resumed  it  in  January,  and  in  February, 
1857,  united  his  establishment  with  the  Telegraph.  The  Gazette  and 
the  Telegraph  were  continued  as  weeklies  under  the  consolidation,  and 
the  News  as  a  daily  until  1864,  when  the  Gazette  was  dropped  and 
the  title  of  News  changed  to  the  Daily  Telegraph.  After  a  temporary 
discontinuance  during  the  vnnter  of  1864,  the  daily  was  resumed 
under  the  title  of  the  Daily  Union.  In  1866,  the  title  of  both  the 
weekly  and  the  daily  was  changed  to  the  Presa.  The  old  title  of  the 
Telegraph  was  restored  in  1869. 

In  1833  or  '34,  Mr.  Spalding  commenced  the  publication  of  the 
Newburgh  Journal,  which  he  continued  until  1843,  when  he  changed 


*  Samuel  Parmenter,  father  of  the  late  Genl.  S.  C.  Pannenter. 

t  John  W.  Knevels  and  William  Leslie.    Mr.  Leslie  was  the  father  of  Alex.  Leslie. 


348  mSTORV  OF  NEWBURGH. 


the  name  to  the  Highland  Courier.  The  Courier  was  continued  by 
Mr.  S.  until  his  death,  Aug.  22,  1853,  and  subsequently  by  his  widow, 
Mrs.  E.  L.  Spauldino-,  who  sold  it,  in  1855,  to  William  E.  Smiley.  In 
August,  1858,  Edward  Nixon  became  the  proprietor.  In  1859,  Rufus 
A.  Reed  purchased  the  establishment  and  changed  the  name  of  the 
paper  to  the  Highland  Chieftain..  Mr.  Reed  sold  to  Cyrus  B.  Martin, 
who  resumed  the  title  of  Newhurgli  Journal,  and  commenced,  in  18()8, 
the  publication  of  the  Daily  Journal. 

In  addition  to  these  papers,  The  Beacon,  an  anti- Jackson  campaign 
paper,  was  published  in  1828;  the  late  Judge  William  B.  W^right  was 
its  editor.  In  1884,  Wallace  &  Sweet  published  the  Natio7}ai  Advei'- 
fiser — subsequently  merged  in  the  Gazette.  Thos.  George  commenced, 
in  1849,  the  publication  of  the  Neivburgh  Excelsior.  This  paper  was 
purchased  by  E.  M.  Ruttenber,  in  May,  1851,  and  merged  in  the  Tele- 
graph. In  1855,  the  publication  of  the  Newburgh  American  was  com- 
menced by  R.  P.  L.  Shafer,  and  continued  three  or  four  weeks.  In 
March,  185G,  the  Newburgh  Times,  a  temperance  paper,  was  commen- 
ced by  Royal  B.  Hancock,  as  agent  for  an  association  of  gentlemen. 
It  subsequently  passed  into  the  hands  of  R.  Bloomer  &  Son,  who  sold 
to  Alexander  W^ilson.  Charles  Blanchard  purchased  from  Mi'.  Wil- 
son, and  commenced  (18G7)  the  issue  of  the  Newburgh  Daily  Dem- 
ocrat, but  failed  in  a  few  months.  The  establishment  was  then  broken 
up.  The  Daily  Penny  Pod  was  commenced  by  an  association  of 
printers  in  October,  1875;  and  the  Daily  MaU  by  a  similar  association 
in  the  spring  of  187G.    The  former  was  discontinued  in  June,  1876. 

There  have  also  been  several  religious  publications.  In  1824,  the 
Rev.  J.  R.  Wnison  commenced  the  publication  of  a  monthly  magazine 
of  forty-eight  pages,  under  the  title  of  the  Evangelical  Witness.  It 
was  devoted  to  the  exposition  of  the  faith  of  the  Reformed  Presby- 
terian church,  and  was  continued  four  years.  It  was  succeeded  by 
the  Ch'istian  Statesman,  which  lasted  only  one  yeai-.  On  the  1st  of 
March,  183G,  by  the  appointmept  of  the  Synod  of  that  church,  the 
Rev,  Moses  Roney  commenced  the  publication  of  the  Beformed  Pres- 
byterian, a  montlily  magazine  of  thii-ty-two  pages.  Mr.  Roney  re- 
moved this  magazine  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  18-49.  Here  he  published 
it  until  his  death  in  1854;  it  was  subsequently  continued  there  by 
Mrs.  Roney,  and  is  now  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Thos.  Sproul.  In 
October,  1859,  the  Rev.  David  L.  Proudlit  commenced  the  pubHcation 
of  the  Family  Visitor,  a  monthly  quarto,  which  he  continued  one  year. 
In  1845,  he  i3ublished  the  first  number  of  the  Christian  Instructor,  a 
monthly  magazine  of  thirty-two  pages,  which  he  continued  for  two 
years.  It  was  then  sold  to  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Dales  who  removed  it  to 
Philadelphia.     In  1856,  the  Catholic  Library  Association  commenced 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS,  ETC.  349 


the  publication  of  the  CathoHr  Library  Magazine,  John  Ashhurst,  editor, 
which  was  continued  monthly  until  Avigust,  IHfiO. 

Literary  sc^rials  have  been  numerous,  but  withfait  permanency.  In 
May,  1 832,  John  W.  Knevels  issued  the  first  number  of  a  monthly 
quarto  called  Tablets  of  Ilural  Economy.  It  was  only  continu(;d  for  a 
few  months.  In  1855,  11.  B.  Denton  commenced  the  Literary  Scra/p- 
Book,  a  monthly  magazine  of  forty-eiffht  pages;  but  it  failed  in  a 
shoii  time.  The  Acorn,  a  small  monthly,  was  commenced  by  an  asso- 
ciation of  students  of  Mr.  Domanski's  school,  in  1857,  and  was  dis- 
continued in  1851).  The  title  was  suV)sequently  resumed  in  a  j)ublica- 
tion  by  the  students  of  the  Newburgli  Institute,  under  the  auspices  of 
Mr.  Siglar.  In  1867,  S.  S.  Wood  (commenced  the  publication  of  the 
Household  Advocate,  an  eight  page  monthly.  Having  secured  a  large 
circulation,  he  changed  the  form  and  the  title  to  /loasehohl  Magazine, 
the  circulation  of  which  at  one  time  readied  sixty  thousand.  The 
publicration  failed  in  1874.  Meanwhile  Mr.  Wood,  who  retired  from 
the  old  publication  in  1874  prior  to  its  failure,  endeavored  to  intro- 
duce a  larger  magazine,  but  without  success.  In  18G!),  A.  A.  Bensel 
started  the  Home,  Farm  and  Oreliard,  an  eight  page  weekly,  and  ran 
it  until  tlie  spring  of  187G.  The  Mtmcal  Bulletin,  a  monthly  quarto, 
was  issued  by  Demorest  &  Burr  during  the  years  1872  and  1871^. 

The  list  of  publications  is  substantially  completed  with  the  titles  of 
a  series  of  what  were  known  as  "amateur  newsi)apers,"  from  1871  to 
1873— the  (hrmi,  by  Henri  Gerard  (1871),  the  Lidex,  by  J.  Walker 
F.  Iluttenber  (1871),  the  (JoUector,  by  D.  W.  Jagger  (1871),  the 
Packet,  by  W.  H.  Wood  and  D.  W.  Corwin  (1872),  the  Laurel,  by  A. 
MilUgan  (1872),  and  the  Amateur  Herald,  by  T.  R.  Balf  (1872).  The 
Index  survived  its  contemjjoraries,  and  closed  its  life  in  the  hands  of 
D.  W.  Jagger. 

LITEEARY,    RELIGIOUS,  AND    BENEVOLENT    SOCIETIES. 

Newhurgli  Lyceum  of  the  Nalaral  Hcieiwen. — This  society  was  organ- 
ized Sept.  7,  1824,  and  had  an  active  existence  for  several  3'ears.  Its 
officers  were  as  follows:  President,  Wm.  Ross;  vice  presidents,  David 
R.  Arnell,  Albert  (Jhristie,  A.  M.  Smith,  S.  R.  Betts,  David  Fowler; 
cor.  secretaries,  Jas.  R.  WiUson,  Luther  Halsey,  Jr. ;  treasurer,  Wm. 
Seymour;  curators,  John  T.  Halsey,  John  Johnston,  Geo.  Gordon. 

Neivhurgh  Lyceum  AnHociation. — The  first  meeting  in  reference  to 
the  organization  of  the  Newburgh  Lyceum  was  held  in  the  High 
School  on  the  evening  of  Dec.  18,  1837,  when  a  committee,  of  which 
Rev.  Dr.  Johnston  Avas  chairman,  was  appointed  to  confer  with  leading 
citizens  on  the  subject.  At  a  meeting  held  on  the  evening  of  the  2()th, 
Dr.  Johnston  made  a  favorable  report.  A  constitution  and  by-laws 
were  submitted  by  S.  W.  Eager,  N.  S.  Prime,  J.  W.  Knevels,  Saml. 


350  HISTORY  OF  NEWS  URGE. 


Phinney,  A.  J.  Downing,  Victor  M.  Watkins,  Jas.  H.  Perry,  A.  B.  Bel- 
knap, and  Jno.  J.  Monell,  committee,  which  was  adopted.  The  first 
lecture  before  the  association  was  delivered  by  Rev.  N.  8.  Prime,  Dec. 
27,  1837.     An  annual  coiirse  was  maintained  until  1844  or  1845. 

Newhurgh  Hidorical  Society. — This  society  was  organized  in  Febru- 
ary, 1845,  by  Rev.  John  Forsyth,  Rev.  A.  B.  Van  Zandt,  Saml.  W. 
Eager,  Peter  F.  Hunn,  G.  C.  Monell,  A.  J.  Prime,  M.  Stevenson,  and 
other  gentlemen.  At  its  first  meeting.  Rev.  Dr.  Forsyth  was  elected 
president;  Doct.  A.  J.  Prime,  secretary;  and  Doct.  M.  Stevenson,  S. 
W.  Eager,  and  P.  F.  Hunn,  curators.  The  society  had  an  active  ex- 
istence for  about  two  years,  during  which  time  a  considerable  collec- 
tion of  manuscrij)ts,  coins,  minerals,  etc.,  was  made,  now  mainly  pre- 
served at  Washington's  head-quarters. 

Youvg  MenH  Mutual  Improvement  Society.— This,  society  was  organ- 
ized Nov.  20,  1840,  by  David  C.  Ringland,  Jno.  K.  Lawson,  Geo.  AV. 
Clarke,  and  other  young  men,  who  took  an  interest  in  but  were  de- 
barred from  participation  in  the  debates  instituted  by  the  Mechanics' 
Library  Association.  The  society  attained  considerable  strength  and 
accumulated  a  library  of  about  600  volumes;  but  after  a  year  or  two 
disbanded  and  transferred  its  books  to  the  Mechanics. 

Newhurgh  Sabhath-school  Society. — This  society  was  formed  in  1816. 
It  was  one  of  the  first  agencies  employed  to  awaken  an  interest  in 
Sabbath  schools,  and  to  promote  their  establishment  in  connection 
with  the  several  churches.  A  union  Sabbath-school  was  conducted 
for  several  years  under  its  auspices  in  the  session-room  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  cluirch.  The  society  continued  in  existence  until  the 
object  had  in  \-iew  by  its  founders  was  accomplished. 

Neivburgh  Bible  Society. — This  society  was  organized  Sej^tember  d, 
1818,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  when  a 
constitution  was  adopted  and  the  following  officers  elected,  viz :  Jonas 
Storey,  president;  Isaac  Belknap  and  Jos.  Clark,  vice  presidents;  Rev. 
John  Johnston,  cor,  secretary;  Charles  MiUer,  rec.  secretary;  Benj.  F. 
Lewis,  treasurer.     It  still  has  an  active  existence. 

Neivburgh  MiMmm  Society.— The  "Newburgh  Mission  Society,"  for 
"  aiding  missions  in  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel,"  was  organized 
in  1823,  and  continued  in  existence  for  several  years. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association. — The  first  association  of  this 
character  was  organized  Sept.  15,  1858— Arthur  Potts,  president. 
The  present  association  is  its  successor. 

Newburgh  Home  for  the  Friendless. — This  institution  was  organized 
m  the  autumn  of  1861,  at  a  meeting  of  ladies  connected  with  the  sev- 
eral churches,  under  the  title  of  the  Newburgh  Union  Female  Guar- 
dian Society.     At  the  meeting  of  the  legislature  in  1862,  the  society 


CHURCHES,  SCHOOLS.  ETC 


351 


was  incorporated,  by  special  act,  under  the  title  which  it  now  bears. 
Its  object  is  to  provide  a  home  for  "  friendless  or  destitute  p^irls,  under 
fourteen  and  over  three  years  of  apfe,  and  boys  under  ten  and  over 
three  years,  until  permanent  homes  can  be  secured  for  them,  by  adop- 
tion or  otherwise."  The  Home  was  organized  in  the  building  on  the 
north-west  corner  of  Grand  and  Clinton  streets.  In  1864,  the  Acad- 
emy boarding-house  building-  was  purchased  and  has  since  been  de- 


voted to  that  jjurpose.  Its  cost  was  about  $8,700,  which  was  prin- 
cipally obtained  from  subscriptions.  In  1866,  from  constitution  as 
residuary  legatee  of  Lewis  Jennings,  a  fund  of  $13,097.77  was  se- 
cured, the  income  from  which,  vnth  the  addition  of  subscriptions,  has 
hitherto  been  sufficient  to  meet  the  annual  expenditures. 

St.  Luke's  Home  and  Hospital. — This  institution  was  formally  organ- 
ized by  the  adoption  of  constitution  Nov.  4th,  1874.  The  first  board 
of  managers  was  elected  on  the  11th  of  the  same  month,  viz:  Mrs. 
Haslit  McKim,  president;  Mrs.  Smith  Ely,  vice  president;  Mrs.  John 
L.  Rogers,  secretary ;  Miss  Julia  E.  LeRoy,  treasurer.  Soon  after  or- 
ganization a  house  was  leased  on  DuBois  street  and  has  since  been 
occupied.  The  object  of  the  institution  is  "to  provide  a  home  for  the 
aged,  the  indigent,  and  the  infirm,  and  a  hospital  for  the  sick." 

New  England  Society. — This  society  was  organized  February,  1867, 
(Daniel  B.  St.  John,  president,)  and  has  since  held  annual  festivals. 

Masonic. — The  first  Masonic  lodge  in  this  section  of  the  state  was 
called  American  Union  Lodge.  It  was  organized  under  a  traveling 
dispensation,  and  usiiaUy  accompanied  the  head-quarters  of  the  army. 
The  first  located  lodge  in  Newburgh  was  Steuben  Lodge,  No.  18. 
Its  charter  was  applied  for  by  Y.  A.  Morris  and  nine  others,  June  5, 


352  IIISTOUY  OF  NEWBUIiGH. 

1788,  and  it  was  constituted  Sept.  27,  of  that  year.  No  further  facts 
in  reference  to  its  history  or  membership  can  be  obtained  except  that 
Ebenezer  Foot,  Levi  Dodge,  and  Chas.  Chnton,  were  P.  M.'s  in  1797. 
Its  charter  was  probably  surrendered  soon  after  the  commencement 
of  the  present  century.  In  1806,  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  131,  was  constitu- 
ted—Jonathan Fisk,  M. ;  Chas.  Baker,  S.  W. ;  J.  E.  Drake,  J.  W.  Its 
charter  was  surrendered  in  1831.  In  1842,  (Sept.  7),  the  charter  was 
revived  and  the  number  changed  to  92 — Peter  F.  Hunn,  M. ;  Minard 
Harris,  S.  W. ;  James  Belknaj),  J.  W.  It  was  again  surrendered  in 
1844.  In  1853,  (June  11),  Newburgh  Lodge,  No.  309,  was  constitu- 
ted; Hudson  Eiver  Lodge,  No.  607,  was  constituted  June  11,  1866; 
Higliland  Chapter,  No.  52,  R.  A.  M.,  Feb.  10,  1864;  King  Solomon's 
Council,  No.  31,  Feb.  4,  1868;  Hudson  River  Commandery,  K.  T., 
Sept.  27,  1865;  Adonai  Grand  Lodge  of  Perfection,  1872.* 

Odd-Fellows. — The  following  lodges  of  this  order  have  been  located 
in  Newburgh,  viz : 


Highland  Loclffe,  No.  6.5.  Innt.  1812 

Orange  County  Lodge,  No.  74,  "    1842 

Hudson  River  Lodge,  No.  281,  "    1847 


Kossuth  Lodge,  No.  120,  Inst.  1850 

Myrtle  Degree  Lodge,  No.  20,  "    1845 

Mt.  Carmel  Encampment,  No.  21,     "    1845 


The  order  was  in  a  very  flourishing  condition  about  1851,  when  it 
began  to  decay  through  the  divisions  growing  out  of  the  new  consti- 
tution movement.  Highland  Lodge  alone  survived  the  ordeal,  and 
now  has  as  its  contemporaries  Bismark  Lodge  (German),  Mount 
Olive  Encampment,  and  Van  Nort  Degree  Lodge. 

Temperance  Societies. — Three  divisions  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance, 
viz:  Orange,  Quassaick,  and  Fraternal,  were  organized  prior  to  1858; 
also,  Avoca  Tent  of  Rechabitcs,  a  Social  Union  of  the  order  intro- 
duced by  Col.  E.  L.  Snow;  a  Section  of  the  Cadets  of  Temperance; 
and  a  Tent  of  Good  Templars.  They  all  failed  after  a  few  years  con- 
tinuance, and  their  places  are  now  supplied  by  Mission  Lodge,  New- 
burgh Lodge,  and  Union  Lodge,  Good  Templars,  and  St.  Patrick's 
T.  A.  B.  Society. 

Miscellaneous. — The  Knights  of  Pythias  have  two  Lodges,  Storm 
King  and  Frederick  Wilham;  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  a  Council;  the  Ger- 
mans, a  Mannerchor  and  Turn  Verein;  tlic  Hebrews,  a  Bnai  Brith 
Lodge  and  a  Kescher  Schell  Bassel  Lodge;  and  the  Catholics  an 
O'Connell  Benevolent  Association  and  a  Mutual  Alliance  and  Benevo- 
lent Association. 


*  The  oldest  located  Masonic  Lodge  in  this  section  of  the  state  was  constituted  at  Fish- 
kill,  .Tune  7, 1786,  on  the  petition  of  Hugh  McConnell  and  others.  It  bore  the  title  of  St. 
Snnon  and  St.  ,Tude  Lodge.  The  second  was  Steuben  Lodce,  at  Newburgh;  the  third,  St. 
.John  s  Lodge,  No.  21,  constituted  at  Warwick,  March  26,  1790;  the  fourth,  Orange  Lodge, 
No.  45,  at  Goshen,  March  12, 1796;  the  fifth,  Montgomery  Lodge,  No.  61,  at  Montgomery, 
June  14,  1797;  the  sixth,  St.  James  Lodge,  at  Middletown,  Jan.  6th,  1798;  the  seventh, 
Ohvc  Branch  Lodge,  at  Minnisink,  Dec.  7, 1803;  the  eighth,  Hiram  Lodge,  at  Newburgh. 


,M  ^!?by  J.C.M'raae 


&^yrxcU  (/8-i<s^e^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  353 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    GENEALOGICAL    SKETCHES. 


IN  addition  to  the  facts  given  in  the  previous  pages  of  this  work, 
little  information  has  been  obtained  in  reference  to  the  personal 
liistory  of  any  of  the  members  of  the  comj^any  of  Palatine  immigrants 
by  whom  the  settlement  of  Newburgh  was  commenced.  The  record 
is  clear  that  they  had  been  reduced  to  extreme  poverty,  in  the  place 
of  their  nativity,  "under  the  calamity  which  happened  last  year  (1707) 
in  the  Palatinate  by  the  invasion  of  the  French,"  and  especially  "by 
"the  frequent  incursions  of  the  French  and  Germans  near  Landau." 
Those  of  them  who  have  descendants  in  the  city  or  county  were: 

Joshua  Kockerthal. — Joshua  Kockerthal,  or  "de  Kockerthal,"  as 
his  name  was  sometimes  written,  was  called  by  the  Lords  of  Trade, 
the  "High  German  Minister."  He  appears  to  have  been  the  leader 
of  the  company,  but  was  only  a  resident  of  Newburgh  a  short  time 
if  at  all.  The  larger  company  of  Palatines  who  came  over  in  1710, 
and  who  were  settled  in  the  present  county  of  Columbia,  received  his 
principal  attention,  and  the  last  eight  or  nine  years  of  his  life  was 
almost  wholly  spent  among  them.  At  the  time  of  his  removal  to 
America  (1708),  his  family  was  composed  of  himself,  his  wife,  and 
three  children,  whose  names  and  ages  are  recorded  in  the  return  to 
the  Lords  of  Trade*  as  follows,  viz : 

Joshua  Kockerthal,      ■      Minister,  Age  39  |  Benifrna  Sihvlle  Koelcerthal,  Child,  Al'o  10 
Sibylle  Kockerthal,  Wife,  "    39  |  Christian  Joshua  Kockerthal      "        '^      7 

busanna  Sibylle  Kockerthal,  -  -  -  .  .  .  ..       .i      3 

Two  other  children,  Cathalina,  and  Louisa  Abigail,  were  born  to  him 
after  his  settlement  in  this  country.  He  died  about  the  year  1710,  and 
his  wife  probably  did  not  long  survive  him.  Christian  Joshua,  his  son 
received  an  appointment  as  clerk  or  superintendent  of  one  of  the  Pala- 
tine settlements  in  Columbia  county.  He  died  in  1731,  without  issue, 
and  the  family  name  became  extinct.  Bcnigna  SibyUe  married  Wil- 
liam Christopher  Berkenmyer  (the  Lutheran  minister  who  performed 
pastoral  services  at  New  York  and  Newburgh  in  1725t),  and  settled 
in  Albany  county.  Susanna  Sibylle  married  WiUiam  Heurtin,  gold- 
smith, of  Bergen  county,  N.  J.,  and  has  descendants  in  the  family  of 

*  Col.  Hist.,  v.,  52.    Landau  is  on  the  Queich  in  Rhenish  Bavaria.  f  Ante  p.  119. 

023 


354  HTSTORY  OF  NFAVBURGH. 

William  Heurtin,  of  the  town  of  WaHkill.  Cathalina  married  Peter 
Lynch,  merchant,  of  New  York;  and  Louisa  Abipfail  married  John 
Brovort,  <i^oldsmith,  of  New  York.  The  daup^hters  became  the  heirs 
to  the  lands  in  Newbvirgh,  which  were  patented  to  the  family, — Be- 
nigna  and  Susanna  holding  an  interest  by  virtue  of  the  terms  of  the 
patent;  Cathalina  succeeding  to  the  interest  held  by  her  mother,  and 
Louisa  Abigail  to  that  held  by  her  brother, — and  they  united  in  a 
sale  of  the  property  to  James  Smith,  July  13,  1741.* 

Michael  Weigand. — The  family  of  Michael  Weigand,  another  of  the 
Palatine  immigrants,  was  composed  as  follows,  viz: 

Michael  Weigand,  Husbandman,  Aged  52  I  Anna  Maria  Weigand,  Child,  Aged  13 

Anna  Catharine  Weigand,  Wife,        "      54  |  Tobias  Weigand,  "  "        7 

George  Weigand, "         "       3 

Weigand  located  permanently  in  Newbiirgh,  and  was  the  owner  of 
lot  No.  2  of  the  patent.  His  son,  Tobias,  was  chosen  one  of  the  trus- 
tees of  the  Glebe  in  1725,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  elec- 
tion of  Golden  and  Albertson.  Martin,  the  son  of  Tobias,  opened  the 
first  principal  tavern  in  the  place,f  and  this  occupation  he  continued 
to  foUow  until  his  death  in  1792,  without  issue.  George,  the  second 
son  of  Michael,  had  several  children  of  Avhom  Michael  ^  was  the  father 
of  Capt.  Martin  Weigand,  who  followed  for  many  years  the  joint  occu- 
pations of  dock -builder  and  fisherman.  From  George  also  descended 
the  Marlborough  families,  now  represented  in  Newburgh  by  J.  O.  Wy- 
gant.  Tobias  was  the  founder  of  the  Monroe  branch,  now  represent- 
ed by  James  and  Charles  H.  Weygant. 

Charles  H.  Weygant  was  born  in  Cornwall,  July  8, 1839.  He  entered  the  volunteer 
service,  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  as  captain  of  A  company,  124th  regiment ;  was 
promoted  major,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  colonel :  served  in  nearly  all  of  the  engagements 
of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  three  times  wounded  in  the  field.  He  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Orange  county  in  1870,  and  retired  from  that  position,  as  he  did  previously  from 
the  array,  with  the  credit  of  faithful  and  honest  administration. 

Melchior  Gulch. — The  Palatine  carpenter,  Melchior  Gulch,  settled 
near  Middlehope,  and  his  name  appears  in  the  tax-rolls  of  the  pre- 
cinct down  to  1729,  but  in  the  meantime  was  changed  to  GilHs.  | 
At  the  time  of  their  emigration  to  America  the  names  and  ages  of  the 
family  were  returned  as  follows: 

Melchior  Gulch,  Carpenter,  Age  39  |  Margaret  Gulch,  Child,  Age  12 

Anna  Catharine  Gulch,  Wife,  "     43  |  Heinrich  Gulch,  "  "     10 

Margaret,  the  daughter,  married  William  Ward,  and  her  descendants 
are  now  to  be  found  in  the  famous  oarsmen,  the  Ward  brothers.  It 
is  presumed  that  other  children  were  born  in  this  country.     The  gen- 

*  This  statement  of  facts  is  from  the  original  deed,  then  in  possession  of  the  late  Thomas 
McKissock.  The  title  to  the  property  has  since  bi^en  questioned  by  William  Heurtin,  and 
the  deed  (which  is  not  of  record)  has  been  lost.  f  Ante  p.  129. 

X  Ante  p.  i:33.  The  name  is  written  Melchior  Gulch  in  the  records  of  1708  ;  Melgert  the 
Joyncr  in  1715,  and  Melchior  GilHs  in  the  patent  granted  to  him  in  1719,  since  which  time  it 
has  boon  written  Gillis.    Descendants  through  Jacob  Gillis  arc  still  residents  of  the  town. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  355 


ealogy  of  the  family,  however,  cannot  now  be  ascertained.  The  state- 
ment already  made,  except  that  which  is  of  record,  is  on  the  authority 
of  the  late  Jesse  Gillis  of  Fostertown. 

— The  other  members  of  the  original  company  did  not  reside  in 
Newburgh  for  any  considerable  number  of  years.  Their  lands,  how- 
ever, were  purchased  by  others  among  whom  were  Burger  Meynders, 
Zacharias  Hoffman,  James  Smith,  Nathan  Smith,  Alexander  Golden, 
and  Richard  Albertson.* 

Burger  Meynders. — Burger  Meynders  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade, 
and  first  settled  at  Kingston  where  he  owned  a  lot,  house,  and  shop, 
in  1686.  He  sold  his  property  there  to  Frederick  PhilHpse  (1692), 
and  subsequently  (1716)  purchased  from  Peter  Rose  his  interest  in 
the  lands  at  Newburgh,  where  he  settled.  He  had  two  sons,  Burger, 
Jr.,  and  Frederick.  The  former  was  elected  one  of  the  trustees  of 
the  Glebe  in  1744,  and  held  that  position  until  1747.  He  resided  on 
part  of  his  father's  farm  (lot  No.  2)  for  which  he  received  a  deed 
from  his  father,  March  2,  1726.  He  subsequently  became  part^  owner 
of  lot  No.  3.  He  sold  his  Newburgh  property  (1747)  to  Jonathan 
Hasbrouck,  and  removed  to  Shawangunk,  where  he  erected  the  mill, 
afterwards  occui^ied  by  James  Bate,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Dwaars  kill. 
The  subsequent  history  of  the  family  has  not  been  traced. 

Zacharias  Hoffman. — Zacharias  Hoffman,  whose  name  frequently 
occurs  in  the  early  records  of  the  town,  lived  and  died  in  Shawan- 
gunk, Ulster  county.  He  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe  from 
1722  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1744.  He  married  Hester 
Bruyn,  Oct.  19,  1707,  and  had  five  children,  of  whom  Zacharias,  Jr., 
occupied  the  homestead  property. 

Aj.exander  Golden. — Probably  none  of  the  early  settlers  of  New- 
biu-gli  took  a  more  leading  part  in  its  affaii's  than  did  Alexander  Gol- 
den. He  was  the  oldest  son  of  Gov.  Gadwallader  Golden, f  and  re- 
moved to  Goldcnham  with  his  father  in  1728.|  He  was  appointed 
ranger  of  Ulster  county  in  1737,  and  soon  after  took  up  his  residence 
in  the  parish  of  Quassaick,  where  he  had  purchased  lands,  in  compa- 
ny with  his  father,  ex-Governor  Burnet  and  others;  erected  a  wharf 
and  store-house  at  what  is  now  the  foot  of  First  street,  as  well  as  the 
flouring  mill  subsequently  known  as  Hasbrouck's  mill,  and  engaged 
in  mOling,  forwarding  and  mercantile  jDursuits.  In  1743,  he  obtained 
a  patent  for  the  Newburgh  ferry,  by  virtue  of  which  the  privilege  is 

*  Ante  p.  118,  121. 

t  A  biographical  sketch  of  Gov.  Golden  may  be  found  in  Documentary  History  of  New 
York,  iii.  829,  with  his  portrait,  autograph,  and  coat  of  arms. 

4:  In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Collinson,  of  London,  dated  May,  1742,  Gov.  Golden  writes:  "My 
family  being  considerably  increased,  I  left  the  city  at  the  time  Mr.  Burnet  was  removed 
from  the  Government,"  >tc.  Gov.  I3urnet  was  removed  in  1728,  which  fixes  the  date  of 
Gov.  Golden's  settlement  in  this  county. 


356  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

now  held.  He  was  active  in  the  movement  to  wrest  the  Grlebe  from 
the  Lutheran  chiu'ch,  and  was  instrumental  in  securing  the  Golden 
and  Albei-tson  charter.  He  erected  what  Avas  known  as  the  Newburgh 
House,  at  the  junction  of  Golden  and  Water  streets,  where  he  resided 
with  his  family  until  about  1762,  when  he  was  appointed  joint-survey- 
or-gencral  with  his  father  and  removed  to  New  York.  He  was  sub- 
sequently appointed  postmaster  of  that  city,  and  held  that  office  imtil 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1775,  in  the  59th  year  of  liis  age.  He  had 
four  daughters  and  two  sons,  but  the  relations  wliich  they  sustained 
towards  the  Gi'own,  during  the  Revolution,  compelled  their  removal 
to  England,  and  his  family  became  extinct  in  this  country.* 

Richard  Albertson. — Richard  Albertson  was  a  Hollander  by  birth 
or  parentage.  He  removed  to  Newburgh  from  Long  Island  some- 
time about  1740;  was  elected  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe  in 
1749;  was  sheriff  of  Ulster  county  in  1752.  He  is  presumed  to  have 
had  sons  Joseph  and  Richard.  The  latter  was  born  in  1752,  and  had 
1.  Grant;  2.  Jeremiah;  3.  Lucretia;  4.  Lydia;  5.  Joseph;  6.  Maria; 
7.  Elsie.  Jeremiah  (2),  born  Dec.  12th,  1785,  died  in  1844;  married 
Roxanna  Preston  and  had  Washington,  John,  Lois,  Gharles,  and  Rox- 
anna,  of  whom  Washington  is  a  resident  of  Newburgh.  The  family 
is  one  of  the  few  that  lias  been  continuous  since  first  settlement. 

— Several  of  the  princij)al  families  who  located  here  at  an  early  pe- 
riod, as  well  as  in  more  modern  times,  may  be  noticed  more  at  length. 


THE   SMITH    FAMILY. 

James  Smith,  the  ancestor  of  the  Smith  family  of  Newburgh,  w.as  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  tliis  country  sometime  about  the  year 
1735.  Ho  settled  temj^orarily  in'  New  Windsor,  but  subsequently 
removed  to  Newburgh,  having  purchased  from  the  heirs  of  Joshua 
Kockerthal,  in  1741,  lot  No.  5,  in  the  original  division  of  the  German 
patent.  I  He  erected  a  log  house  near  a  spring  on  what  is  now  Smith 
street,  between  First  and  Second  streets,  and  engaged  in  clearing  the 
land  and  in  the  general  pursuit  of  husbandry.  On  his  death,  the  farm 
descended  to  his  son  Benjamin,  who  resided  in  the  old  homestead 
house  for  a  time  and  subsequently  erected  the  dwelling  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  Liberty  and  CampbeU  streets.  He  sold  the  western 
part  of  the  farm  to  Thomas  Woolsey,  and  laid  out  (1782)  the  eastern 


Ante  p.  121,  122.  Cadwallader  Golden,  the  second  son  of  Gov.  Golden,  resided  at  Col- 
denhani  until  his  death.  He  was  also  interested  in  lands  in  Newburgh,  and  was  active  in 
many  of  tlu^  local  affairs  of  the  town,  especially  in  connection  with  the  old  St.  George's 
church  and  the  Cxlobc  lands.  The  Coldens  residing  in  Newburgh  at  the  present  time  are 
his  descendants. 

t  Ante  p.  121.  "  James  Edmonston  (of  New  Windsor)  married  Margaret  Smith  in  Ire- 
land. She  was  the  sister  of  James  Smith,  whom  she  brought  to  this  country,  and  the 
aunt  ol  Benjamin  Smith,  his  son."— i'o^w'.s  Oratige  Comiiy,  620. 


BIOORAPHKJAL  SKETCHES.  357 


part  in  lots  under  the  name  of  the  Township  of  Washinj^on.*  He 
appears  to  have  contributed  Uberally  to  the  estabhshment  of  churches 
and  schools,  and  to  have  been  a  citizen  of  some  enterprise.  During 
the  early  part  of  the  controversy  with  the  mother  country,  he  main- 
tained the  character  of  a  whi<^-,  and  was  one  of  the  first  signers  of  the 
pledge  of  association,  and  also  an  officer  in  the  local  militia.  After 
the  declaration,  however,  it  is  said  that  he  refused  to  be  a  party  to 
separation  from  royal  authority,  and  whUe  on  his  way  to  New  York 
(1777),  in  company  with  several  persons  who  were  known  to  be  dis- 
affected, he  was  arrested  tjn  a  charge  of  intention  to  join  the  enemy 
and,  with  his  associates,  was  confined  in  the  jail  at  Kingston,f  and  the 
goods  found  in  his  possession  were  confiscated.  He  was  so(jn  after 
released  on '  parole,  and  resumed  his  residence  in  Newbiu-gh.  He 
strongly  affirmed  his  innocence  of  any  intention  to  join  the  enemy, 
and  subsequently  brought  a  suit  against  the  committee  of  sequestra- 
tion to  recover  the  value  of  the  property  taken  from  him  at  the  time 
of  his  arrest;  but  the  legislature  passed  a  law  (1782)  forbidding  the 
courts  from  entertaining  actions  of  that  character.  | 

Benjamin  Smith  married,  June  IG,  1701,  Elizabeth  Leonard.  He 
died  in  1813.  His  children  were:  1.  Betsey,  who  married  Aaron  Fair- 
child;  2.  Mary,  who  married  John  Anderson;  3.  Jane,  who  married 
Robert  Gardiner;  4.  William  L.,  who  married  Maria  Cole,  of  King- 
ston; 5.  Abigail,  who  married  Thomas  Hinds;  6.  James,  who  was  lost 
at  sea;  7.  Benjamin,  who  died  unmarried;  8.  Bridget,  who  married 
Jonathan  Carter;  and  9.  Catharine,  who  manned  Henry  Tudor. 

William  L.  Smith  (4)  was  the  principal  heir  to  his  father's  estate.  He  erected  the 
homestead  house  on  the  corner  of  Liberty  and  South  streets,  where  he  resided  for  several 
years,  and  was  engaged  in  mercantile  and  agricultural  pursuits.  He  enjoyed  the  confi- 
dence of  his  fellow-citizens  to  a  high  degree,  and  repeatedly  held  stations  of  local  oliticial 
trust.  His  children  were  :  1.  Benjamin,  b.  July  30,  1803;  2.  Catharine  C,  b.  April  29,  1805; 
3.  William  1'.  C,  b.  Dec.  11,  1807  ;  4.  John  Fletcher,  b.  Dec.  23, 1809  ;  5.  Gardinier,  b.  Nov. 
30, 1812  ;  6.  Elizabeth  L.,  b.  Feb.  24,  1815 ;  7.  Cornelius  C,  b.  Aug.  (i,  1817 ;  8.  Maria  C, 
b.  Jan.  1820  ;  9.  Richard  C,  b.  Dec.  14,  1823  ;  10.  Anna  Eliza.  Benjamin  married  Caroline 
Knox  Thacher,  granddaughter  of  Genl.  Knox ;  Catharine  C,  married  John  E.  Parmalee ; 
Wilham  P.  C,  married  Glorianna  Butterworth  ;  John  F.  married  Nancy  Thompson ;  Gar- 
dinier married  Jane  Cole,  of  Kingston ;  Elizabeth  L.,  unmarried ;  Cornelius  C,  married 
Margaret  DeWitt,  of  Kingston,  where  he  now  resides ;  Maria  C,  married  Thomas  H. 
Booth,  died  July  11,  18.54,  without  issue;  Anna  Ehza  died  young:  Richard  C,  resides  in 
Newburgh.  Cornelius  C,  Richard  C,  Thomas  H.  Booth,  and  John  E.  Parmelee  were  for 
several  years  merchants  in  Newburgh,  the  former  notably  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Wardrop,  Smith  <fc  Co. 


THE    BELKNAP    FAMILY. 

The  Belknap  family — or  Belknappe,§  as  the  name  was  originally 

*  Ante  p.  159.        t  Proceedings  Prov.  Conv.,  872.        i  Laws  of  New  York,  1782. 

§  The  etymology  of  the  name  is  Bel  {belie),  the  feminine  of  beau— tine,  beautiful,  pleas- 
ant (Boyer),  and  Knap  {knappe),  or  knoll  of  a  hill.  Literally  rendered,  "  the  people  of 
the  beautiful  hill." 


358  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBGH. 

written — is  of  Norman  origin,  and  can  be  satisfactorily  traced  back 
to  the  time  of  William  the  Conqueror  (1066).  They  maintained  con- 
siderable distinction  in  England  at  an  early  period — Sir  Robert  Bel- 
Imappe  having  been  created  chief  justice  in  the  reign  of  Edward  the 
Third  (1375).  In  1687,  Abraham  Belknap,  from  whom  the  branch 
of  the  family  in  this  country  trace  their  descent,  emigrated  from 
England  and  settled  in  Lynn,  Mass.  He  subsequently  removed  to 
Salem,  where  he  died  in  1643,  leaving  four  sons  and  a  daughter,  viz: 
1.  Abraham;  2.  Jeremy;  3.  Joseph;  4.  Samuel,  and  5.  Hannah. 
Joseph  was  born  in  England  about  the  year  1630.  He  settled  in 
Boston,  where  he  was  admitted  a  freeman  in  1655.  He  was  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  "third"  or  "  old  South  Church,"  in  1668,  from 
whence  he  took  dismission  to  Hatfield,  where  he  lived  in  good  esteem 
from  1682  to  1696.  He  returned  to  Boston  during  the  latter  year, 
and  died  in  that  city  Nov.  14,  1712,  at  the  age  of  82  years.  Pie  had 
three  wives,  viz:  1st.  Ruth,  by  whom  he  had:  1.  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  26, 
1658;  2.  Mary,  b.  Sept.  25,  1660;  3.  Nathaniel,  b.  Aug.  13,  1663;  4. 
Elizabeth,  b.  July  1,  1665.  2d.  Lydia,  by  whom  he  had:  5.  Ruth,  b. 
Nov.  27,  1668.  3d.  Hannah,  by  whom  he  had:  6.  Thomas,  b.  June 
29,  1670;  7.  John,  b.  June  1,  1672;  8.  Hannah,  b.  June  8,  1673;  9. 
Ruth,  b.  March  17,  1676;  10.  AbigaH,  b.  June  27,  1678;  11.  Abra- 
ham, b.  April  26,  1681;  12.  Samuel,  date  of  birth  uncertain. 

Thomas  Belknap  (6)  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Thomas  Cheney, 
of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  settled  in  Woburn,  where  he  purchased 
(June  29,  1698,)  a  tract  of  land  at  a  place  called  "forty  pound  mead- 
ows." His  cliildren  were:  1.  Thomas;  2.  Jane;  3.  Benjamin,  4.  Han- 
nah; 5.  Samuel,  born  May  24,  1707;  and,  it  is  supposed,  6.  Joseph. 
Four  of  these  children,  viz:  Thomas,  Benjamin,  Samuel,  and  Joseph, 
removed  to  and  settled  in  Newbm-gh,  and  its  vicinity,  at  different 
dates  from  1749  to  1763.  The  first  settlement  was  made  by  Samuel, 
who  purchased  (1749)  nearly  aU  the  tract  known  as  the  Baird  patent, 
which  he  divided  with  his  brother  Thomas.* 

The  genealogy  of  the  family  is  so  voluminous  that  it  is  necessarily 
materially  abridged  in  these  pages.     Samuel  Belknap,  the  immediate 


*  Thomas,  Joseph,  and  Benjamin,  settled  in  New  Windsor,  where  Joseph  was  clerk  of 
the  precinct  in  1763,  and  subsequently  assessor.  Thomas  married  Sarah  Hill,  Dec.  14, 
1726,  and  had:  1.  Thomas;  5.  Sarah;  3.  Joseph;  4.  John;  5.  Jonathan.  Benjamin  mar- 
ried Hannah  Richardson,  and  had:  1.  Abraham;  2.  Ruth;  3.  Isaac;  4.  Hannah;  5.  Jed- 
uUian;  6.  Sarah;  7.  OUve.  Joseph  married  Margaret  Russell,  of  Watertown,  Mass.,  April 
9, 1754,  and  had:  1.  Thomas;  2.  Joseph;  3.  Phebe;  4.  Lydia;  5.  Daniel;  6.  James.  Joseph 
(2),  son  of  Joseph  (1),  married  Sarah  Clement,  and  had  I.James;  2.  Harriet,  married 
Eli  Hasbrouck;  3.  Ann  Eliza;  4.  Sarah;  5.  Elsie,  married  Thomas  McKissock  ;  6.  Thomas; 
7.  Amanda,  married  Lews  D.  Lockwood.  James  (6)  was  born  in  the  town  of  Crawford, 
March  24,  1793.  He  married  Clarissa  Ring,  daughter  of  Samuel  Ring,  of  Cornwall,  June, 
1816,  and  settled  in  Newburgh  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  He  served  with  credit  in 
the  militia  during  the  war  of  1812,  and  filled,  with  great  satisfaction  to  the  public,  several 
local  official  stations,  includiug  that  of  postmaster.  John  (4)  was  a  captain  in  the  conti- 
nental service  during  the  Revolution.     (Ante  p.  87,  279.) 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  359 


ancestor  of  the  principal  part  of  the  family  in  this  town,  married 
Lydia  Stearns,  by  whom  he  had:  1.  William,  b.  May  27,  1730;  2. 
Ruth,  b.  Nov.  11,  1731;  3.  Isaac,  b.  Dec.  14,  1733;  4.  Samuel,  b. 
Oct.  18,  1735;  5.  Lydia,  b.  Feb.  28,  1737;  6.  Abel,  b.  Jan.  13,  1739; 

7.  Mary,  b.  Jan.  9,  1740;  8.  Ruth,  b.  May  14,  1742;  9.  David,  b.  Jan. 
14,  1744;  10.  Abigail,  b.  AprH  17,  1745;  11.  Jonathan,  b.  Sept.  7, 
1748;  12.  Olive,  b.  April  5,  1751.     Of  these  chHdren— 

(1)  WiUiam  married  first  Hannah  Flagg,  by  whom  he  had:  1.  Wil- 
liam, 2.  Hannah,  3.  Abel,  4.  Samuel,  5.  Josiah  (died),  6.  Josiah,  7. 
Lydia,  8.  Gershom  and  a  twin  daughter.  His  second  wife  was  Marj^ 
Flagg,  by  whom  he  had:  9.  Cyrus,  and  10.  Mary.  The  only  member 
of  this  branch  of  the  family  who  settled  in  Newburgh  was  William, 
(1)  who  married  Martha  Carscadden,  July  20,  1785,  by  whom  he  had: 
1.  William,  2.  Lydia  (married  Edmund  Sanxay),  3.  Hannah,  4.  Stephen, 
5.  Robert,  6.  George,  7.  Nancy,  and  8.  Susanna. 

(2)  Ruth  died  young. 

(3)  Isaac  married  first  Bridget  Richardson,  of  Woburn,  Mass.,  by 
whom  he  had:  Bridget,  Isaac,  Mary  married  Derick  Amerman,*  Eliz- 
abeth married  John  Warren,  Olive,  Bridget  married  Leonard  Carpen- 
ter, Richardson,  Abel,  W^illiam,  and  OHve.     Mrs.  Belknap  died  Aug. 

8,  1777,  and  he  married,  second,  Mrs.  Deborah  Coffin,f  widow  of 
Capt.  Caleb  Coffin,  Sept  10,  1778,  by  whom  he  had:  Amelia  married 
Charles  BirdsaU,  ^Vlden,  Briggs,  Judah,  Lydia,  and  Deborah.  He 
died  April  29,  1815,  aged  82. 

Isaac  Belknap  was  one  of  the  truest,  sons  of  America  during  his  whole  hfe,  and  espec- 
ially throughout  the  di'eary  struggle  for  independence.  Previous  to  the  war  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  freighting  business  between  Newburgh  and  New  York,  and  not  unfrequently 
extended  his  commercial  ventures  to  the  more  eastern  ports  as  well  as  to  the  West  India 
Islands.  When  the  troubles  with  the  mother  country  came  on,  he  entered  into  active  ser- 
vice in  defence  of  the  cause  of  the  colonists,  and  was  early  appointed  captain  of  a  com- 
pany of  rangers.  He  was  afterwards  in  the  regular  service  as  assistant  deputy  quarter- 
master-general. After  the  war  he  resumed  the  freighting  business  and  continued  in  it  as 
long  as  he  was  able  to  follow  the  arduous  occupation.:}; 

His  son,  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.,  was  born  Oct.  3,  1761.  He  married,  first,  Elizabeth  Cole- 
man, daughter  of  Joseph  Coleman,  of  Newburgh,  formerly  of  Sherburn,  Nantucket  Island, 
and  had:  Elizabeth,  Richardson,  and  Fanny  C,  who  married  David  Crawford.  Mrs.  Belk- 
nap died  Jan.  9,  1816,  and  he  married,  second,  Mrs.  Susan  Smith,  widow  of  William  H. 
Smith.  He  was  a  man  of  great  personal  worth  and  high  moral  character.  He  died  Jan. 
26,  18i5,  aged  84  years.  From  a  notice  of  his  life  and  character,  which  appeared  in  the 
village  papers  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  the  following  is  copied :  "  The  deceased  has  long 

*  Derick  Amerman  was  the  son  of  Albert  Amerman,  a  native  of  Holland.  He  was  born 
in  New  York,  and  removed  to  Newburgh  at  the  age  of  15  years.  After  the  Revolution  he 
engaged  in  the  milling  business  with  Abel  Belknap,  which  business  he  relinquished  for  that 
of  freighting,  which  he  followed  for  forty  years.    He  died  March  4, 1826,  in  his  67th  year. 

t  Mrs.  Coffin  was  the  daughter  of  Col.  Briggs  Alden,  of  Duxbury,  Mass.,  and  a  lineal 
descendant  from  John  Alden,  one  of  the  pilgrims  by  the  May  Flower. 

:j:  Isaac  Belknap  and  George  Gardner  commenced  the  freighting  business  in  1790,  from 
Benjamin  Birdsall's  dock  (formerly  the  Colden  dock),  as  appears  from  a  handbill  which  has 
been  preserved.  They  had  two  sloops  which  they  sailed  alternately  on  Saturaays.  Gard- 
ner subsequently  continued  the  business.     (Ante  p.  244,  etc.) 


3(50  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUnOH. 

been  widely  known  as  one  of  our  oldest  and  most  substantial  citizens.  At  an  early  age  he 
was  engaged  in  the  service  of  his  country  during  her  Revolutionary  struggle,  and  subse- 
quently filled  with  credit  many  important  posts  of  honor  and  usefulness.  As  a  member  of 
the  state  legislature,  judge  of  the  county  court,  and  president  of  the  bank  of  Newburgh, 
he  had  established  in  former  years  a  reputation  for  integrity,  sound  sense,  and  good  feel- 
ing, which  secured  for  him  the  sincerest  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him.  15ut 
as  the  crowning  excellence  of  his  character,  he  was  for  many  years  distinguished  as  a  de- 
voted and  consistent  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  an  accepted  and  honored 
elder  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  from  the  time  of  its  organization  until  his  decease, 
and  those  who  were  associated  with  him  in  this  capacity,  as  well  as  others,  can  bear  hono- 
rable testimony  to  his  practical  wisdom,  piety  and  worth." 

(4)  Samuel,  married,  first,  Mrs.  Abigail  Lewis,  and  had  Abigail, 
Timothy,  and  Kuth.  His  second  wife  was  Abigail  Flagg,  by  whom 
he  had  Raphael,  Samuel,  Olive,  Elizabeth,  Lydia,  Setli,  and  Chai'les. 
He  died  March  31,  1821. 

Samuel  Belknap,  prior  to  the  Revolution,  resided  at  Woburn,  Mass,  and  occupied  the 
homestead  and  mills  which  were  erected  by  his  father,  and  to  which  was  attached  a  large 
and  productive  farm  situated  on  the  public  road  leading  to  Concord.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  controversy  with  England,  he  was  active  in  the  cause  of  the  colonists  ;  and,  in  1775,  ho 
organized  a  company,  of  which  he  was  captain,  and  took  part  in  the  conflict  at  Concord. 
During  the  following  year  he  was  in  the  engagement  at  White  Plains,  and  subsequently 
rendered  much  efficient  service  in  the  field.  After  the  war  he  was  elected  to  the  legisla- 
ture of  his  native  state,  where  hti  served  to  the  ample  satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  He 
afterwards  removed  to  Newburgh  where  he  resided  until  his  death. 

His  son,  Samuel  Belknaj),  Jr.,  was  born  Dec.  10,  17C5.  He  married  Mary  Goldsmith, 
April  (i,  1790,  by  whom  lie  had  Lucinda.  Ira,  William  Goldsmith,  Samuel,  and  Fanny.  He 
died  May  19,  1845.  His  son,  Wilham  Goldsmith  Belknap,  was  born  Sept.  7,  1794.  He 
married  Ann  Clark,  daughter  of  Joseph  Clark,  of  Newburgh,  and  had  Anna  Mary,  Clara, 
WilUam  Worth,  and  Frederick  Augustus.  He  entered  the  miUtary  service  at  the  age  of 
18  years,  and  took  part  in  the  war  of  1812,  through  which  he  served  as  an  officer  with  dis- 
tinction to  himself  and  honor  to  his  country.  His  conduct  during  the  attack  by  the  British 
on  Fort  Erie  (Aug.  15, 1814),  drew  from  Genl.  Rii)ley  the  following  remarks  in  his  report, 
viz  :  "  The  manner  in  which  Lieutenant  Belknap,  of  the  23d,  retired  with  his  picquet  guard 
from  before  the  enemy's  column,  excites  my  particular  commendation.  He  gave  orders 
to  tii(!  three  times  as  he  was  retreating  to  the  camp,  himself  bringing  up  the  rear.  In  this 
manner  he  kept  the  light  advance  of  the  enemy  in  check  for  a  distance  of  two  or  three 
hundred  yards.  I  have  to  regret,  that  when  entering  our  hues  after  his  troops,  the  enemy 
pushed  so  close  upon  him  that  he  received  a  severe  wound  with  the  bayonet."  In  the  war 
with  Jlexico,  he  shared  largely  in  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  The 
citizens  of  Newburgh,  at  a  public  meeting  held  on  the  27th  of  June,  1846,  caused  a  sword 
to  be  made  and  presented  to  him  in  their  name,  as  a  mark  of  their  appreciation  of  his  dis- 
tinguished services.  He  died  near  Fort  Washita,  in  the  Chickasaw  Nation,  November  10, 
1851.  His  army  record  is  as  follows,  viz  :  Appointed  3d  heutenant,  23d  infantry,  April, 
1813;  2d  heutenant,  October,  1813;  1st  lieutenant,  August,  1814;  transferred  to  2d  infantry 
May,  1815;  transferred  to  3d  infantry.  May,  1821;  captain  3d  infantry,  Feb.  1822;  major 
8th  infantry,  January,  1842;  lieutenant-colonel  5th  infantry,  2Cth  Sept.  1847.  Brevetted 
major,  Feb.  1832,  for  ten  years  service  in  one  grade;  lieutenant-colonel  March  15,  1842,  for 
general  good  conduct  in  the  war  agauist  the  Florida  Indians,  and  for  securing  by  military 
operations  a  great  luunber  of  prisoners;  colonel,  9th  May,  184t),  for  gallant  and  distin- 
guished services  in  the  battle  of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma;  bi-igadier-general,  2nd 
Feb.  1847,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista. 

His  son,  William  Worth  Belknap,  was  born  at  Newburgh  on  the  22d  September,  1829, 
and  after  attending  the  High  School  and  the  Academy,  entered  the  College  of  New  Jersey 
at  Princeton,  hi  the  year  1846,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  June,  1848.  After 
studying  law  in  Georgetown,  D.  C,  and  being  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  city  of  Washing- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  361 


ton,  he  went,  in  the  year  1851,  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in 
that  city.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  of  Iowa  in  1857,  as  a  representative  of  the 
democratic  party  ;  but  being  what  was  known  at  that  time  as  a  Douglas  democrat,  and 
not  uniting  with  the  members  of  that  party  who  favored  what  was  known  as  the  Lecomp- 
ton  constitution,  of  Kansas,  which  was  an  important  and  exciting  question  in  the  politics 
of  that  party,  he  joined  the  republican  party. 

Ho  was  appointed  major  15th  Iowa  volunteers  in  November,  1861,  and  participated  in 
that  capacity  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  He  remained  in  the  army  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
rising  gradually  through  all  the  grades  of  Ueutenant-colonel.  colonel  and  brigadier-gene- 
ral, and  was  brevetted  major-general  in  1865,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  services  during 
the  war.  Having  as  brigadier-general  of  volunteers,  commanded  the  3d  brigade,  4th  di- 
vision, 17th  army  corps  (Blair's)  of  the  army  of  the  Tennessee  (McPherson's),  he  was  in 
numerous  battles,  the  most  important  of  which  were  Shiloh  (where  he  was  wounded  and  had 
a  horse  shot  under  him),  the  several  battles  of  Atlanta,  the  battle  of  Benton ville,  N.  C, 
etc.  He  was  engaged  in  the  sieges  of  Corinth,  Vicksburgh  and  of  Atlanta,  and  accompa- 
nied Sherman  in  his  grand  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,  then  to  Goldsboro',  Raleigh 
and  Washington.  He  was  repeatedly  mentioned  for  coolness  and  courage,  and  in  the 
battle  of  Atlanta,  July  22, 1864,  he  took  prisoner  Colonel  Lampley,  45th  Alabama,  by  pull- 
ing him  over  the  works  by  his  coat  collar.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  being  honorably  mus- 
tered oul  of  service  in  1865,  he  was  appointed  collector  of  internal  revenue  for  the  first 
district  of  Iowa,  and  remained  in  that  position  until  the  latter  part  of  1869,  when,  in  the 
month  of  October,  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  War  by  President  Grant  and  remained 
in  that  position  until  March  2,  1876,  when  he  resigned, 

(5)  Lydia  married  Edward  Riggs,  Nov.  25, 1782,  and  settled  in  New 

York,  but  subsequently  removed  to  Newburgli.    She  died  Jan.  9,  1824. 

Mrs.  IlicGS  was  a  school  teacher,  and  it  is  said  that  she  taught  DeWitt  Clinton  his 
letters.  She  was  present  at  the  inauguration  of  Washington,  at  the  old  Federal  HaU, 
corner  of  Wall  and  Nassau  streets,  New  York.  She  was  a  woman  remarkable  for  her 
piety,  education,  and  virtue;  and  it  is  said  of  her,  that  she  maintained  "  that  distinction 
under  a  democracy  which  a  regal  government  would  confer  upon  rank.'' 

(6)  Abel  married,  first,  MoUy  Richardson,  Oct.  4,  17G5,  by  whom 
he  had:  Stephen,  Chancey,  Sarah,  and  MoUy.  He  man-ied,  second, 
Hannah  Williams,  of  Huntington,  L.  I.,  June  6, 1776,  and  had  Rachel 
Fleet.  His  thii'd  wife,  was  Hannah  Williams,  of  Sharon,  Conn.,  by 
whom  he  had:  Abel,  Moses  Higby,  Aaron,  Margaret,  Edwin  Starr, 
and  Julia  Ann.     He  died  Nov.  15,  1804,  in  the  66th  year  of  his  age. 

The  liightst  of  Man,  of  Nov.  19, 1804,  referring  to  the  death  of  Abel  Belknap,  remarks: 
"This  venerable,  useful  and  truly  pious  citizen,  enjoyed  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 
As  a  magistrate,  he  conscientiously  performed  the  imjjortant  duties  of  his  office;  as  a  hus- 
band, parent,  relative,  and  friend,  he  attained  to  patriarchal  years,  not  only  without  re- 
proach, but  such  was  the  blameless  tenor  of  his  Hfc,  that  his  decease  is  a  subject  of  gen- 
eral regret."  His  sons — Stephen,  Chancey,  Abel,  Moses  Higby,  and  Aaron, — enjoyed  for 
many  years  the  high  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  community.  The  business  enterprises 
of  Stephen  and  Chancey  were  extensive,  and  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  the  early 
commercial  prosperity  of  the  town.  Stephen  was  born  Aug.  4,  1766,  and  died  Oct  28, 
1848.  He  married  Mrs.  Sarah  Mace  and  had:  Dr.  SavilUan,  who  died  unmarried  at  Mobile; 
Mary  C,  who  married  Aaron  B.  Gardiner;  Chancey  F.,  and  Rufus  R.  Chancey  was  born 
March  13, 1768,  and  died  in  June,  1840.  He  married,  first  (July  9, 1788),  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Jonathan  Belknap,  by  whom  he  had:  Mary,  d.  unmarried;  Stephen,  d.  in  infancy, 
Sarah,  who  married,  first,  James  Black,  and  second,  David  Brown;  and  Rebecca,  d.  un- 
man ied.  By  his  second  wife,  Mercy,  who  was  also  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Belknap,  he 
had:  Rufus  R.,  b.  Dec.  9,  1797;  Thomas,  d.  in  infancy;  Clarissa;  Mercy;  CorneUa,  m.  Alsop 
Stewirt;  Clementine;  Rachel;  Chancey;  Jane  Ann,  m.  David  E.  Fowler;  and  Lynde,  m. 


862 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBGH. 


Sarah  Titus,  of  Jamaica,  L.  I.  He  served  successively  in  the  miUtary  grades  of  lieutenant, 
captain,  major,  colonel,  and  brigadier  general;  was  one  of  the  corporators  of  the  Bank 
of  Newbnrgh;  elector  of  president  and  vice  .president  in  1812,  and,  as  already  remarked, 
was  extensively  engaged  in  milling,  freighting,  and  other  branches  of  business.  Abel  was 
born  Dec.  30,  1785 ;  died  Oct.  19,  1854;  m.  first,  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel  O.  Gregory,* 

who  died  January  19, 1833,  without  issue  ;  and 
second,  Sally  D.  Munn,  who  died  in  1855,  also 
without  issue.  Moses  H.,  was  born  Sept.  23, 
1787;  died  January  4, 1855;  m.  tirst,  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Saml.  O.  Gregory,  who  died  Feb. 
27, 1824,  leaving  two  children,  Ruletta  G.,  who 
died  Aug.  11,  1850 ;  and  Abel  W.,  who  married 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Capt.  Saml.  Johnson,  died 
June  26,  1847,  leaving  one  child,  Abel  W.  His 
second  wife  was  Ruth  P.  Cook,  who  died  Oct. 
23,  1833,  leaving  one  child,  Moses  Cook,  now 
cashier  of  the  Highland  National  Bank.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Boai-d  of  Trustees  of  the 
village  and  president  of  that  body  for  several 
terms;  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  New- 
burgh  High  School,  and  held  other  local  po- 
sitions with  credit.  Aaron  was  born  July  20, 
1789;  died  March  14,  1847.  He  married  Mary 
Josepha  L.  S.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Belknap 
(4),  and  had:  Ethelbert  B.,  died  young;  Sam- 
uel M.,  d.  in  infancy:  and  Aaron 
.  y       ^  ^  Betts.  He  was  a  lawyer  of  some 

^^^  j^^^y^^  y^  considerable  rank,  and  a  mem- 

-"^^  '  ^*^^^//y'^^-^^*yT    ber  of  the  fii-m  of  Betts  &  Belk- 
Edwin  Starr,  the  youngest  son  of  Abel  (6),  was  born  Dec.  11,  1794;  married  Rachel 
T.  Price,  and  settled  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

(7)  Mary,  born  Jan.  9,  1739,  died  July  15,  1820. 

(8)  Ruth  died  May  (5,  1745. 

(9)  David  married  8arali  Case,  and  had:  Olive,  David,  Daniel  C, 
Hezekiah,!  Sarah,  Justin,  Fanny,  Charlotte,  and  Oliver.  He  died 
March  11,  18:U. 

(10)  Abigail  married  Josiah  Talcott,  by  whom  she  had:  Lydia, 
Josiah,  Jeffrey,  Samuel,  Olive,  Jonathan,  David  and  Abigail.  She 
resided  in  Newburgh  only  a  few  years  after  her  marriage,  but  removed 
to  Hancock,  Mass.,  where,  with  her  husband,  she  united  with  the 
society  of  Shakers.     She  died  in  May,  1793. 

(11)  Jonathan  died  unmarried.  May  9,  1774. 

(12)  Olive  died  unmarried,  March  14,  1770. 


nap. 


*  Sanmel  O.  Gregory  came  from  Morristown,  N.  J.,  and  soon  after  settling  in  Newburgh 
opened  a  shoe  store.  His  first  wife  was  Ruletta  Cook  ;  his  second,  Eunice  Fairchild.  His 
children  were  :  Mary,  who  married  Abel  Belknap  ;  Margaret  who  raarried  Moses  H.  Belk- 
nap ;  Sarah;  Jane,  who  married  EHjahS.Sneeden  ;  x\nn,  who  married  William  Ely ;  George 
W.,  and  Odell.    Tiie  latter  settled  in  Owcgo. 

t  Hezckiah  Belknap  was  born  July  26, 1781.  He  graduated  at  Princeton  College  in  1805, 
with  high  standing  in  his  class,  and  was  subsequently  employed  as  tutor  for  the  Sophoriore 
class  of  that  institution.  This  station  he  resigned  in  1807,  and  commenced  the  study  of  iaw. 
He  died  May  23, 1814.  He  is  spoken  of  as  one  who  from  his  youth  upward  "  sustained  a 
character  wortiiy  of  emulation." 


BIOGRAFIUVAL  SKETCHES.  363 


THE    MERRITT    FAMILY. 

George  Merritt,  the  ancestor  of  the  Merritt  family  in  this  town, 
was  born  in  the  year  1702,  and  died  Feb.  2,  1750.  It  is  presumed 
that  he  was  the  son  of  John  Merritt,  Senr.,  a  native  of  Enghxnd,  who 
settled  in  the  town  of  Rye,  Westchester  county,  as  early  as  1680, 
and  who  was  one  of  its  projDrietors  in  1715.*  He  married  Glorianna 
Purdy  (who  died  Sept.  13,  1765,  aged  51  yrs.,  5  mos.,  13  days),  and 
removed  to  Newburgh  sometime  about  the  year  1747,  in  company 
Mdth  the  Purdy  and  Fowler  families,  with  whom  he  was  connected  by 
marriage.  His  children  were:  1.  George;  2.  Samuel;  3.  Caleb;  4. 
Gabriel;  5.  David;  6.  Josiah;  7.  Humphrey;  8.  Elizabeth, "  married 
Thomas  Merritt ;t  9.  Jane,  born  Sept.  25,  1747,  died  March  2,  1807, 
married  first,  Morris  Flewwelling,  and  second,  Elnathan  Foster;  10. 
Glorianna,  married  Joseph  Morey.| 

(1)  George  married  first,  Maiy  Fowler  (who  died  July  5,  1799), 
and  had:  1.  George;  2.  Gabriel;  3.  Samuel;  4.  Humjihrey;  5.  Fowler; 
6.  John;  7.  Charlotte;  8.  Jane;  9.  (xlorianna;  10.  Mary.  He  married 
second,  Sarah,  widow  of  Wolvert  Ecker. 

(2)  Samuel  married  Phila  Townsend  and  had  several  childi'en.  He 
died  Dec.  26,  1811,  in  his  74th  year. 

(3)  Caleb,  born  July,  1735,  died  Nov.  29,  1793,  married  Martha 
Purdy  (born  Jan.  1736,  died  June  24,  1783,)  and  had:  1.  Abigail, 
man-ied  George  Weygant;  2.  Elizabeth,  married  Dr.  David  Fowler; 
3.  Glorianna,  married  Isaac  Fowler. 

(4)  Gabriel  died  in  1776,  without  issue. 

(5)  David  married  Nelly  Weygant  and  had:  1.  Jane,  who  mai-ried 
John  Hait;  2.  Elizabeth,  who  married  Nathaniel  Harcouii. 

(6)  Josiah  died  March  12,  1817;  married  first,  Anna  Purdy  (who 
died  Jan.  9,  1786,  in  her  30th  year,)  and  had:  1.  Gabriel;  2.  Josiah; 
3.  Esther,  who  married  Zephania  Northrop;  4.  Nancy,  who  married 
Mowbray  Carpenter;  5.  Alathea,  who  married  John  Brower.  He 
married  second,  Eachel  Sherwood,  and  had:  6.  David;  7.  Joseph;  8. 
Phebe,  who  married  Andrew  Cropsey. 

(7)  Humphrey, §  born  May  17,  1737;  purchased  (1758)  part  of  the 
farm  on  which  his  grandson,  the  late  Daniel  Merritt,  resided  at  Mid- 
dlehope.  His  children  were:  1.  Glorianna;  2.  Mary;  3.  Underhill;  4. 
Caleb;  5.  Charlotte;  6.  Moses.     Underhill  (3)  was  born  Feb.  7,  1769, 

*  Bolton  (Hist.  West.  Co.  ii.  32,  95),  gives  the  names  of  John  Merritt,  Senr.  (1680),  and 
conttiinporaneously  with  him,  that  of  Thomas  Merritt— subsequently  stating  that  the  latter 
was  the  son  of  the  former.  The  original  homestead  of  the  family  was  in  the  jjossession 
of  one  of  the  descendants  of  John,  Senr.,  as  late  as  1848. 

t  "  A  Colonel  of  Cavalry  in  the  Queen's  Rangers,  1780.  He  died  at  St.  Catharines,  in 
Canada,  May,  1842,  aged  82  years."     He  was  a  grandson  of  the  first  John. 

4;  It  is  possible  that  the  names  here  given  are  not  arranged  in  the  order  of  birth. 

§  The  names  "  Humphrey  "  and  "  Underhill,"  are  from  Humphrey  Underhill,  one  of  the 
original  proprietorB  of  the  town  of  Rye,  with  whom  the  Merritts  were  connected. 


364  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


and  died  Nov.  19,  1804.*  His  children  were:  1.  Martha,  b.  Jul}^  8, 
1794,  married  Gilbert  Holmes,  settled  in  Newbui'gh,  died  Sept.  14, 
1848;  2.  Josiah,  b.  Aug-.  21,  1796,  was  the  father  of  Caleb  Merritt;  3. 
Daniel,  b.  March  10,  1799,  d.  May  7,  1867,  had  four  children:  Hiram, 
Mary  J.,  Daniel  H.,  and  Theodore;  4.  Ehzabeth,  b.  March  12,  1799 
(twin  sister  to  Daniel),  married  John  Goodsell,  died  Dec.  28,  1824, 
leaving  Charles  W.  Goodsell  (now  deceased,)  and  Elizabeth  M.  Good- 
sell  (married  Jonathan  N.  Weed,)  children  her  surviving ;  f  5.  Char- 
lotte, b.  Sept.  19,  1801,  married  Joseph  Furman,  settled  in  Plattekill, 
died  August  24,  1824;  6.  Maria,  b.  April  24,  1804,  married  Robert 
Phillips|  and  had  three  children,  viz:  Jeanette  Y.,  married  Richard  A. 
Olmstead;  Mary  A.,  married  AVilliam  A.  Owen;  and  Willard  M. 


THE    FLEWWELLING    FAMILY. 

The  FlewweUings  were  of  Welsh  origin,  and  were  among  the  early 
settlers  of  Long  Island,  from  whence  John  Flewwelling  removed  to 
Newburgh  sometime  about  1760.  He  married  Elizabeth  Smith  and 
had:  1.  John,  married  Deborah  Denton  and  had  ten  childi-en,  all  of 
whom  died  young;  2.  Morris,  married  Jane  Merritt  and  had  one 
daughter,  Elizabeth,  who  married  William  Palmer;  3.  Abel,  married 
Abigail  Purdy  and  had  Charlotte  who  married  Samuel  Pm-dy,  Eliza- 
beth who  married  William  Harding,  Samuel  who  married  Julia  Caul- 
lield,  Clarissa  who  married  John  Fowler,  John  who  married  Eunice 
Palmer,  Abigail  who  married  Thomas  Fowler,  Amelia  who  married 
Richard  Taylor,  Guilford  who  married  Leah  Harding;  Jane  who  mar- 
ried George  Harding;  4.  Sarah,  married  Nehemiah  Denton;  5.  Mary, 
married  Cornehus  Polhamus;  and  6.  Hannah,  married  George  Wins- 
low.  John  (1)  was  supervisor  of  the  town  in  1773,  and  Morris  (2) 
held  the  same  position  in  1776.  James,  whose  name  is  not  given 
above,  is  presumed  to  have  been  a  member  of  the  same  family.  § 

*  "Mr.  Underbill  Merritt,  the  father  of  Daniel  Merritt,  Esq.,  came  by  accident  to  a  most 
horrible  death,  in  November,  1804.  His  neighbor,  Mr.  Caleb  Fowler,  had  a  frolic,  drawing 
wood,  and  Mr.  Merritt  was  among  the  number  assisting  him.  Alter  being  loaded  and  on 
his  way  to  Mr.  Fowler's,  he  was  walking  beside  his  wagon,  and  in  an  attempt  to  get  on,  as 
was  supposed,  his  feet  caught  in  the  lines,  which  started  his  horses  and  threw  hmi  under 
the  wheels  of  the  wagon,  which  ran  over  his  arm  and  head.  His  arm  was  broken  in  two 
places,  and  bis  brains  crushed  so  that  they  laid  in  the  road."'— Zager's  Orange  County,  88. 

+  "Mrs.  Goodsell  was  a  person  of  an  amiable  temper,  a  pattern  of  piety,  and  a  worthy 
member  of  the  church  of  Christ.  She  died  in  the  full  triumph  of  the  Cliristian  faith,  which 
faith  she  had  for  years  experienced  to  be  the  power  of  God,  to  the  salvation  of  her  soul." 
~  Political  Index,  Dec.  28,  1824. 

t  Robert  rhillii)s  was  horn  at  East  Bridgewater,  Mass.,  May  20,  1802.  He  removed  to 
Newburgh  ui  181G,  and  learned  the  trade  of  tinsmith  with  his  uncle,  David  Phillips,  who 
commenced  busmess  here  about  1814.  His  father,  John  Phillips  (born  at  East  Bridge- 
water,  died  m  Newburgh,  Sept.  23, 1833,  aged  76  years),  joined  the  Revolutionary  army,  at 
Roxbury,  Mass.,  at  the  age  of  19  years.  At  the  organization  of  Washington's  Life  Guard, 
at  Valley  Forge  m  1779,  he  was  one  of  the  two  chosen  from  his  regiment  for  service  in  that 
capacity,  and  remained  there  until  the  close  of  the  war,  attaining  the  rank  of  Sergeant. 
The  Guard,  among  other  duties,  had  charge  of  the  quarters,  and  also  of  the  supplies  for 
\yashiiigton's  table  ;  the  latter  duty  mainly  devolved  upon  Sergeant  Philhps.  David  Phil- 
lips, the  uncle  of  Robert,  died  in  Newburgh  in  1832,  aged  67 ;  he  left  three  daughters 
who  conducted  for  several  years  a  select  school  for  young  ladies.  §  Ante  p.  137, 140. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  365 


THE    FOWLER    FAMILY. 

The  Fowler  family  of  Newburg'h  is  of  EnjSflisli  ancestry.  Monu- 
mental records  at  Islington,  near  London,  show  the  death  of  John 
Fowler,  at  that  place,  in  1538,  and  it  is  added  in  the  work  from  which 
this  fact  is  taken,  that  "  divers  of  this  family  lie  here  interred,  the  an- 
cestors of  Sir  Thomas  Fowler,  Knight  and  Baronet,  living  1630."  * 
The  oldest  branches  of  the  family  in  this  country  appear  to  have  de- 
scended from  Philip  Fowler,  who  was  admitted  a  freeman  of  Massa- 
chusetts colony  in  1634,  and  who  settled  at  Ipswich,  and  from  William 
Fowler,  who  came  over  in  1637,  and  settled  at  New  Haven,  where, 
being  one  of  the  few  immigrants  who  had  received  a  classical  educa- 
tion, he  soon  became  a  man  of  distinction,  and  is  known,  historically, 
as  "the  first  magistrate  of  New  Haven."  The  relationship  between 
Phnip  and  Wilham  cannot  now  be  ascertained,  nor  can  their  descend- 
ants be  positively  traced  except  in  a  few  instances.  It  is  presumed, 
however,  from  the  predominant  given  names  in  the  different  branches 
of  the  family,  as  well  as  from  the  proximity  of  the  localities  where  they 
settled,  that  "  all  of  this  name  in  Connecticut  and  New  York  originated 
from  William  Fowler,  of  New  Haven,  the  magistrate  of  1637."  "j" 

The  genealogy  of  the  Fowlers  of  Newburgh  is  traced  from  Joseph, 
who  is  mentioned  as  a  first  settler  near  Mespat  KiUs,  L.  I.,  1665,  and 
who  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  son  of  William,  Jr.,  of  New  Haven. | 
Joseph  had  WOham,  who  had:  1.  John;  2.  Jeremiah.  John  (1)  was 
born  at  Flushing,  L.  I.,  in  1686,  and  was  the  father  of  1.  Samuel;  2. 
Isaac;  3.  John;  4.  James;  5.  Nehemiah.  His  sons,  Samuel  and  John, 
having  purchased  a  portion  of  the  Harrison  patent,  §  he  removed,  with 
the  other  members  of  his  family,  to  Newburgh  and  continued  his  re- 
sidence here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1768.  Jeremiah  (2) 
settled  at  Rye,  Westchester  county,  where  he  died  in  1766.  The  de- 
scendants of  John  (1)  were: 

(1)  Samuel  was  bom  in  the  year  1720;  married  Charlotte  Purdy, 

granddaughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Ogden)  Purdy,  and  had:  1. 

Mary,  married  George  Merritt,  Jr.;    2.  Elizabeth,  married  Samuel 

Clark;    3.    Charlotte,    married   Daniel   Gidney;    4.   Martha,   married 

Reuben  Tooker;  5.  Abigail,  married  Abel  Flewwelling;  6.  Glorianna, 

married  John  Fowler  (nephew  of  Samuel);  7.  Samuel.     He  died  Oct. 

13,  1789,  aged  69  years  and  1  day,  and  his  wife,  Charlotte,  died  July 

30,  1791,  aged  74  years  and  10  months. 

Kamuel  Fowler  was  an  influential  citizen  of  the  town  for  some  thirty  years.    His  son, 
Samuel  (7),  was  for  forty  years  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  his  resi- 

*  Weever's  Funeral  Monuments. 

t  Bolton's  History  of  Westchester  county,  ii.  519.     See,  also,  "  Genealogical  Memoir  of 
the  Descendants  of  Ambrose  Fowler,  of  Windsor,  Conn." 

:j:  Biker's  Annals  of  Newtown,  L.  I.  §  Ante  p.  132. 


36(j  HISTORY  OF   NEWBVRGH. 

(lence  (the  old  homestead  of  his  father)  was  the  cradle  of  Methodism  in  Newburgh.*  He 
was  born  in  the  year  1757,  and  died  Jan.  22,  1830.  By  his  first  wife,  Rebecca  Gidney,  he 
liad :  1.  Piirdy ;  2.  Mary,  married  George  Wandell ;  3.  Charlotte.  By  his  second  wife, 
Mary  Clapp,  lie  had ;  4.  Henry ;  5.  Rebecca,  married  George  Grove ;  6.  Electa,  married 
Dr.  James  Smith  ;  7.  Samuel;  8.  Charlotte,  married  Henry  Cox.  Purdy  (1)  married  Char- 
lotte Tooker,  and  had  six  children ;  Henry  (4)  married  Eliza  Ann  Thorne  and  had  one 
child.     Samuel  (7)  married  Susan  Phillips. 

(2)  Isaac  married  Margaret  Theall,  and  had  Isaac,  Jr.,  who  married 
Glorianna,  daughter  of  Caleb  Merritt,  and  sister  of  Ehzabeth,  wife  of 
Doct.  David  Fowler.  The  children  of  Isaac,  Jr.,  and  Griorianna  were: 
1.  Caleb,  born  Feb.  8,  1775,  died  March  8,  1826;  2.  Martha;  3.  Doct. 
Charles;  4.  Gilbert;  5.  Nehemiah;  6.  David;  7.  Doct.  Francis;  8.  Doct. 
Isaac.  Caleb  (1)  married  Catharine  Sebring,  a  granddaughter  of  Isaac 
Sebring  and  Catharine  Van  Benschoten,  and  had:  1.  Peter  V.  B.,  mar- 
ried Eliza  DuBois,  died  April  21,  1875,  in  his  76th  year;  2.  Caroline, 
married  James  E.  Slater;  3.  Dr.  Gilbert  S.,  born  April  11,  1804,  died 
AprU  30,  1832;  4.  Ann  Catharine,  born  1806,  died  1833;  5.  Amelia, 
married  Wm.  D.  Weygant,  died  Dec.  30,  1834;  6.  Martha  B.,  died  in 
infancy;  7.  Margaret,  died  young;  8.  Matthew  V.  B.,  married  Eliza- 
beth F.  Seymour;  9.  Jacob  V.  B.,  deceased,  married  first,  Susan  Jane 
Brinckerhofi",  and  second,  a  daughter  of  John  Currie;  10.  Elizabeth, 
born  1819,  died  1836;  11.  Isaac  Sebring,  married  Mary  L.  Powell. 
The  members  of  this  branch  of  the  family  have  for  many  years  been 
among  the  most  substantial  citizens  of  the  town,  and  distinguished 
alike  for  their  public  and  private  worth. 

It  has  not  been  possible  to  obtain  the  descendants  of  John  (3), 
James  (4),  and  Nehemiah  (5),  brothers  of  Samuel  (1)  and  Isaac  (2), 
nor  the  descendants  of  the  brothers  of  Caleb,  the  son  of  Isaac,  Jr. 
It  may  be  mentioned,  however,  that  Doct.  Charles,  the  third  son  of 
Isaac,  Jr.,  was  tor  many  years  a  physician  of  high  reputation  in  the 
the  town  of  Montgomery,  where  he  left  descendants. 

Jeremiah  (2),  son  of  William  of  Flushing,  died  at  Kye,  Westches- 
ter county,  in  1766.  He  left  a  son  David  (born  1728,  died  1806,)  who 
had  David,  Jr.,  born  Dec.  28,  1 755,  died  Oct.  20,  1835. 

David  Fo^vLEn,  Jr.,  better  known  as  Doct.  David,  was  born  at  Oom  Pond,  Westches- 
ter county.  He  received  a  liberal  education,  and  was  engaged  in  completing  the  studies 
of  his  profession,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  when  the  war  of. the  Revolution  broke  out. 
After  the  British  obtained  possession  of  the  city,  he  accepted  the  appointment  of  surgeon 
in  the  second  regiment  of  loyalists,  and  served  during  the  continuance  of  the  struggle. 
Soon  after  the  war  closed  he  removed  to  Newburgh  where  he  settled  upon  lands  composing 
part  of  the  farm,  and  built  the  house  now  occupied  by  David  E.  Fowler,  on  the  road  lead- 
ing from  Newburgh  to  Marlborough.  Here  he  continued  to  reside  until  about  1828,  when 
he  removed  to  the  village  of  Newburgh.  He  was  an  earnest  supporter  of  St.  George's 
church,  and  served  in  its  Vestry  several  years  ;  enjoyed  a  very  considerable  reputation  as 
a  skillful  physician,  and  had  an  extensive  practice  ;  while  in  his  social  intercourse  his  libe- 
ral and  expanded  views  and  varied  hiformation  were  so  happily  blended  with  great  suavity 
and  aflfability  of  manners,  hospitality  and  kindness  of  heart,  as  to  stamp  him  a  true  gen- 

*  Ante  p.  3257326!  ^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


367 


tleman  of  the  old  school,  and  made  his  society  widely  courted.  Doctor  Fowler  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Caleb  Merritt,  October  9,  1785,  and  had:  1.  James,  born  Jan.  18, 
1787,  died  in  infancy;  2.  Gilbert  Ogden,  born  Dec.  10,  1788,  died  Dec.  27,  1843;  3.  Abigail, 
born  Dec.  27, 1789,  married  Samuel  Sands  Seymour,  died  May  5,  1817;  4.  Hannah,  born 
May  11, 1791,  died  March  20,  1792;  5.  Martha  Elizabeth,  born  December  11,  1792,  married 
Joseph  Carpenter,  of  New  Windsor,  May  22,  1810,  died  May  10,  18.54. 

Gilbert  Ooden  Fowlee,  the  second  son  of 
Doct.  David,  graduated  mth  honor  at  Columbia 
College,  and  subsequently  pursued  the  study  of 
law  at  Newburgh,  with  Solomon  Sleight.  He 
was  licensed  to  practice  in  1810;  appointed  Mas- 
ter in  Chancery  in  1816;  Judge  of  Orange  Com- 
mon Pleas  in  1828,  and  First  Judge  of  that  Court 
(in place  of  Samuel  S.  Seward,)  in  1833.  In  the 
autumn  of  1833,  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature, 
and  as  a  member  of  that  body  was  instrumental  ^^ 
in  securing  the  passage  of  the  charter  of  the  ^Jj 
Highland  Bank,  and  also  of  the  Delaware  audi 
Hudson  Railroad.  He  was  elected  president  ofl 
the  Highland  Bank,  on  the  organization  of  that/ 
institution,  and  occupied  that  position  until  his^ 
death.  He  also  held  several  important  military 
commissions;  was  aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Leonard 
Smith  in  1813:  quarter-master  of  34th  brigade  in 
1815 ;  aid-de-camp  to  the  major-general  of  the 
second  division  of  infantry  in  1816;  brig- 
ade major  and  inspector  in  1818;  briga- 
dier-general 34th  brigade  in  1826  (elected 
in  1825);  and  major-general  of  5th  brig- 
ade in  1827.  The  Highland  Courier,  of 
Dec.  30,  contained  the  following  para- 
graph in  reference  to  his  death:  "Genl. 
Fowler  had  been  somewhat  unwell  for  several  days,  but  was  not  considered  seriously  sick, 
and  was  sitting  up  and  conversing  cheerfully  until  abou(»an  hour  previous  to  his  death — 
Genl.  Fowler  has  been  for  many  years  a  citizen  of  Newburgh,  and  has  occupied  many 
stations  of  trust  and  responsibility.  He  was  equally  respected  and  esteemed  in  private 
life,  and  his  death  leaves  a  wide  blank  in  the  social  circle  in  this  village."  Genl.  Fowler 
married  Rachel  Ann,  daughter  of  James  and  Ann  Walker,  of  the  city  of  New  York,  Dec. 
21,  1812,  and  left  issue:  1.  Ann,  married  Leonard  D.  NicoU,  has  two  sons,  Gilbert  O.  F.,  and 
Edward;  2.  David  E.,  married  Jane  Ann,  daughter  of  Chancey  Belknap,  has  Isaac  W., 
Chancey  B.,  Edward,  and  Annie;  3.  Isaac  Vanderbeck,  died  Sept.  28,  1869,  unmarried;  4. 
James  Walker,  married  Mary  Frances  Brown,  of  New  York,  had  Frederic  Culbert,  died 
Jan.  7, 1870,  and  Frances  EHzabeth;  5.  Ehzabeth,  unmarried. 


THE   PURDY    FAMILY. 

This  family  are  the  descendants  of  Francis  Purdy,  of  Yorkshii-e, 
Eng^.,  who  removed  to  Fairfiekl,  Conn.,  where  he  died  in  1658,  leav- 
ing two  sons,  Francis  and  Joseph,  who  were  born  in  Yorkshire,  and 
who  held  commissions  from  the  crown  as  surveyors.  Francis,  Jr.,  left 
Joseph,  the  father  of  David,  the  father  of  David  and  Nathan  Purdy, 
who  settled  in  Newbui-gh  prior  to  1763.  Joseph,  the  second  son  of 
Francis  of  Fairfield,  married  Elizabeth  Ogden  and  had:  1.  Samuel; 
2.  John;  8.  Francis;  4.  Daniel;  5.  Joseph. 

(1)  Samuel  married  Charlotte  Strang  and  had:  1.  Glorianna,  mar- 


3G8  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


ried  George  Merritt,  Senr.;*  2.  Samuel,  married  Winifred  Griffing 
and  had  Samuel,  Henry,  Jacob,  Gabriel,  and  Lavina  wlio  married 
Captain  Eleazer  Gidney;  3.  Caleb,  married  Hannah  Brown  and  had 
Caleb,  Samuel,  Josiah,  Andrew,  Nehemiah,  Sylvanus,  Elias,  Caroline, 
Hannah,  Lavina,  and  Anna;  4.  Gabriel,  married  Bethia  Miller  and  had 
James,  Gabriel,  Anthony,  Glorianna,  Lewis,  Henry,  and  Betliia;  5. 
Charlotte,  married  Samuel  Fowler,  Senr.  ;f  6.  Henry,  married  Mary 
Foster,  granddaughter  of  Major  Paulding,  and  had  Elizabeth,  Wil- 
liam, Anna,  Henry,  and  Samuel  who  was  born  in  Yorktown,  1751, 
died  in  Newburgh,  1836,  married  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Abel  Flew- 
weUing,  and  had  Henry,  Abigail,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Anna,  Esther,  Mar- 
tha, and  Abel  Guilford;  7.  Elizabeth,  married  Josiah  Fowler  and  had 
Glorianna,  Gabriel,  Esther,  and  Martha;  8.  Josiah,  married  Charity 
Wetmore  and  had  Seth,  Alathea,  Anna,  and  Esther. 

(2)  John  had  three  sons,  Elisha,  Joseph,  and  Nathaniel. 

(3)  Francis  had  a  son  David,  and  three  daughters,  viz:  Abigail, 
who  married  Nehemiah  Fowler;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Arthur  Smith; 
and  Martha,  who  married  Caleb  Merritt.  He  died  in  Newburgh,  June 
2,  17G0,  aged  63  years. 

(4)  David  had  Isaiah,  Nathan,  David,  Gilbert,  Samuel,  Josiah,  Martha 
who  married  Daniel  Denton,  and  Lavina  who  married  Robert  Denton. 


/ 


THE    BIKDSALL    FAMILY. 

Benjamin  and  Daniel  Birdsall  Avere  brothers,  and  removed  from 
Long  Island  to  Newburgh  sometime  about  1768.  They  were  inti- 
mately associated  with  the  early  history  of  the  town,  and  their  names 
frequently  occur  in  the  pages  of  this  work.  Benjamin  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Tooker,|  and  had:  1.  Margaret,  m.  John  Salmon, 
Sept.  2,  1785;  2.  Samuel;  3.  Martha,  m.  Capt.  Edmund  Griswold, 
Feb.  2,  1792;  4.  Hannah,  m.  first,  David  Sinsabaugh,  and  second, 
Jonathan  D.  Ferris;  5.  Charles,  m.  Amelia  Belknap,  May  2,  1802;  6. 
Mary,  m.  Gilbert  Cooper;  7.  Corneha,  m.  Capt.  ApoUos  HoweU;  8. 
Asa,  lost  at  soa;  9.  Benjamin.  Daniel  married  Tamar,  daughter  of 
Capt.  Joseph  Coleman, §  and  had:  1.  Hannah,  m.  Isaac  Hasbrouck;  2. 
Mercy,  m.  first,  Col.  Thomas  Palmer,  distinguished  in  local  Ecvolu- 
tionary   history,  ||   and  second,   Jolm  Boice,  grandfather  of   the  late 

*  See  sketch  of  Merritt  family.  -f  See  nketch  of  Fowler  family. 

i  The  Tooker  family  were  the  descendants  of  Charles  Tooker,  who  came  from  Long  Island 
with  the  Bird.salls,  and  who  had :  1.  Reuben,  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Saml.  Fowler, 
Senr.;  2.  Daniel;  3.  Mary,  married  Benjamin  Birdsall;  4.  Hannah,  married  Col.  Leonard 
Smith;  5.  Martha,  married  Isaac  Fowler,  Jr.;  6.  Ruth,  married  Genl.  Nathaniel  DuBois. 

§  Joseph  Coleman  (;amc  from  Nantucket  in  1774.  His  children,  by  his  wife  Eunice,  were: 
Tamar,  married  Daniel  Birdsall ;  Janet,  married  a  Mr.  Watts  ;  EUzabeth,  married  Isaac 
Belknap  ;  Polly,  married  Chancey  Griswold.     (Ante  p.  171. ) 

II  Col.  Palmer  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Convention  of  N.  Y.  1775-76 ;  member 
of  Assembly  1779-'80 ;  Senator  1782-'84  ;  colonel  of  Mmute  Men  ;  chairman  of  Committee 
ot  Safety,  etc.     (Ante  p.  135,  141,  171.) 


BWGEAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  369 


Daniel  B.  Boice;  3.  Cynthia,  m.  a  Phillips  of  Low  Point;  4.  Samuel; 
5.  William;  6.  Daniel.  The  grandchildren  of  Benjamin,  through  his 
son  Charles  (5),  were:  Helen  Maria,  m.  Odell  S.  Hathaway;  Harriet 
Amelia,  d.  unmarried ;  Deborah  Ann,  m.  Hiram  Falls  ;*  Mary,  m.  Chas. 
U.  Cushman;  Adeline  Ferris,  d.  unmarried;  Lydia  Riggs,  m.  William 
E.  Warren.  The  resident  descendants  of  Daniel,  through  Hannah  (1) 
are  the  children  of  the  late  Eli  Hasbrouck.  , 


THE    HASBROUCK    FAMILY. 

The  Hasbrouck,  or  Hasbrou*;,  family  is  of  French  origin — Abraham 
and  Jean,  or  John,  the  first  who  bore  the  name  in  this  country,  were 
natives  of  Calais,  France.  Long  before  the  revocation  of  the  Edict 
of  Nantes,  their  father  had  suftered  so  much  from  religious  persecu- 
tion that  he  removed,  with  his  two  sons  and  a  daughter,  to  Germany. 
In  1673,  Jolm  came  to  America;  and  in  1675,  Abraham  followed  him, 
leaving  his  father  with  his  daughter,  who  had  mamed  one  Pierre 
Hayaar.  In  a  diaiy  kept  by  Abraham  Hasbrouck,  f  the  grandson  of 
Abraham  the  brother  of  John,  it  is  stated  that  Abraham,  with  several 
of  his  acquaintances  and  other  followers  of  Peter  Waldus,  went  from 
the  Palatinate  to  "  Rotterdam,  and  from  thence  to  Amsterdam,  where 
they  embarked  for  England,  April,  1675.  From  England  they  sailed 
to  America,  and  arrived  at  the  town  of  Boston;  from  Boston  they 
sailed  to  New  York  and  from  New  York  to  Esopus,  in  Ulster  county, 
and  arrived  there  July,  1675."  Abraham  found  at  Esopus  his  brother 
"  Jean,  who  had  gone  to  America  two  years  before  him,  and  likewise 
several  acquaintances."  He  married,  in  1676,  "  a  young  woman  named 
Maria  Duyouij;  (Deyo)  the  daughter  of  Christian  Duyou,  with  whom  he 
had  been  acquainted  in  the  Palatinate,  and  who  was  one  of  the  passen- 
gers with  him  to  America."  Having  detei*mined  to  settle  in  the  Esopus 
country,  Hasbrouck  and  his  associates  selected  a  tract  of  land  to  which 
they  gave  the  name  of  the  New  Paltz  and  appointed  twelve  of  their 
number  to  extinguish  the  Indian  title  and  to  procure  a  patent.     The 

*  Alexander  Falls,  the  ancestor  of  the  Falls  family,  carae  from  Ireland  sometime  about 
17^5,  and  settled  in  the  present  town  of  New  Windsor.  He  had  three  sous,  Samuel,  Ed- 
ward, and  George— of  whom  Edward  had  two  .sons,  Alexander  and  George.  Alexander 
was  a  merchant  in  Newburgh  at  the  opening  of  the  present  centiu-y,  and  was  the  father 
of  William  H.,  George,  Edward,  Hiram,  and  Alexander  Falls,  all  of  whom  were  residents 
of  Newburgh  and  more  or  less  identified  with  its  mercantile  and  commercial  interests  for 
nearly  three-quarters  of  a  century. 

t  Ante  p.  20.  Abraham  Hasbrouck  was  horn  Aug.  21,  1707.  died  Nov.  10,  1791.  He 
married.  July  5,  1738,  Catharine  Briiyn,  born  June  21,  1720,  died  August  10,  1793.  Ho  re- 
moved to  Kingston  in  173.5,  where  he  commenced  mercantile  business.  He  was  a  member 
of  ♦he  Colonial  Assembly  from  1739  to  1745,  1748  to  1750, 1759  to  1778  ;  was  commissioned 
Colonel  of  the  Ulster  militia  in  1757  ;  occupied  a  leading  position  in  the  political  history  of 
his  time,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  movements  of  the  patriots  of  the  Revolution.  His 
wife,  Catharine  Bruyn,  was  the  daughter  of  Jacobus  Bruyn.  She  was  of  Norwegian  ex- 
traction—her grandfather  on  her  father's  side  having  been  a  native  of  Norway,  and  settled 
in  the  Esopus  while  the  province  was  in  the  possession  of  the  Dutch. 

t  So  spelled  in  the  MSS.  diary.  Doyonx  is  probably  the  original  French.  It  is  now 
written  Deyo,  in  this  country. 

024 


370  HISTOBY  OF  NEWBURGU. 


first  was  accomplished  Avitliout.  difficulty,  and  in  1677,  Gov.  Andros 
issued  the  patent.  Tlie  twelve  associates  were  chosen  to  act  in  behalf 
of  the  company  not  only  in  obtaining  the  land,  but  in  managing-  the 
civil  aliairs  of  the  community.  ^\.t  theii-  head  stood  Abraham  Has- 
brouck.  The  next  step  was  the  organization  of  a  religious  congre- 
gation, which  they  called  the  Walloon  Protestant  Church,  after  the 
"manner  and  discipline  of  the  church  at  Geneva,  according  to  the 
tenets  of  John  Calvin." 

This  brief  sketch  of  the  Hasbrouck  family  iis  necessarily  confined 
to  the  gene.'dog}^  of  the  branches  that  settled  in  Newlnirgh.  Abra- 
ham Hasbrouck,  the  patentee,  died  March  7,  1717,  in  an  apoplectic 
fit.  His  \^^fe,  Maria,  died  March  27,  1741,  in  her  88th  year.  His 
surviving  children  Avere:  1.  Joseph;  2.  Solomon;  3.  Daniel;  4:.  Benja- 
min; 5.  Rachel,  who  married  Louis  DuBois,  1701 — of  whom 

(1)  Joseph  married  Elsie  Schoonmaker  in  1706.  He  died  Jan.  28, 
1724,  aged  40  years  and  8  months;  and  his  Avife  died  July  27,  1764, 
aged  78  yeai-s,  8  months,  8  days.  "  He  was,"  says  the  diary  hereto- 
fore quoted,  "  a  gentleman  nuich  respected  by  those  with  whom  lie 
was  acquainted,  and  he  served  in  several  public  stations  in  Ulster 
county.  He  Avas  very  affable  and  agreeable  in  company,  eloquent  in 
speech,  spoke  French-Dutch  and  very  tolerable  English.  He  was  of 
middle  stsltiu*e,  of  fine  pliysiognomy,  black  curled  haii',  fail-  skin,  with 
a  bloozing  color,  and  dark  blue  eyes."  He  left  ten  children — six  sons 
and  four  daughters — of  whom 

Jonathan  was  born  April  12tli,  1722;  died  July  31st,  1780.  lie  married,  May,  1751, 
Tryntje  (Catharine)  daughter  of  Cornelius  DulJois,  and  left  him  surviviuf;  three  sons  and 
two  daughters,  viz :  1.  Cornelius,  who  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Kiui,',  after  the  deelara- 
tiou  of  independence,  and  removed  to  Canada;  2.  Isaac;  3.  Jonathan,  who  died  unmar- 
ried ;  4.  Rachel,  who  married  Daniel  Hasbrouck,  son  of  Abraham  (1),  and  5.  Mary.  He 
removed  to  NewbnrKli  soon  after  his  niarri;i, :,'(•,  having  jmrchased  (1747)  the  property  and 
erected  thereon  (1750)  part  of  the  building  now  known  as  Washington's  head-quarters, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  (subseqiiently  completing  the  building  in  its  px-esent  shape) 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  the  first  supervisor  of  the  precinct  (1763),  and 
held  other  local  othces.  "He  bore  several  commissions  in  his  life  time— first  an  Ensign's 
then  a  Captain's,  and  afterwards  a  Colonel's  commission,  which  latter  he  received  Oct.  25, 
1775."  His  regiment  was  often  called  out,  but  from  his  ill-health  was  commanded  much 
of  the  time  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Johannes  Hardenburgh,  Jr..  and  it  was  under  him  at  the 
time  of  its  particijiation  in  the  defence  of  Forts  CUnton  and  ^Montgomery  in  1777.*  In  con- 
seiiuence  of  continued  ill-health  he  resigned  his  connuissicm  in  1778.  His  death  proceeded 
from  an  aggravated  form  of  gravel.  The  MSS.  diary  of  Ids  brother  Abrahatn,  heretofore 
ipioted,  sui)plies  the  following  description  of  his  person  and  character :  "He  was  a  loving 
husband  to  his  wife,  a  tender  and  loving  father  towards  his  children,  a  loving  brother  to 
his  brothers  and  sisters,  an  obedient  and  dntiful  child  to  his  parents,  a  kind  master  to  his 
servants,  a  got)d  neighbor,  a  hospitable  man,  a  good,  industrious,  sober  man,  and  a  very 
good  liver,  and  a  very  good  conunonwealth's-man  (whig).  He  was  a  pious  worthy  man, 
paid  a  good  deal  of  reverence  in  hearing  and  reading  the  word  of  God.  He  was  good  na- 
tured.  not  soon  ruffled  or  i)ut  in  a  passion,  but  with  a  great  deal  of  forbearance.  He  had 
very  good  sense,  and  strong  natural  parts  and  undcrstanding-especially  in  divinity,  and 

*Aute  p.  88,  89, 141,  etc^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  371 


very  knowinj?  in  common  affairs  of  life.  He  was  a  man  of  stature  al)ove  six  foc^t  niul  four 
inches,  well  shaped  and  proportioned  of  body,  good  features,  full  visage  of  face,  liut  of 
brown  complexion,  dark  blue  eyes,  black  hair  with  a  shght  curl,  strong  of  body,  arms, 
legs  ;  was  inclined  to  be  corpulent  and  fat  in  his  younger  days,  but  meeting  so  many  sick- 
nesses and  disorders  he  was  not  so  fat  the  last  thirty  ye.ars  of  his  life  as  he  was  in  his 
youth.  He  had  a  great  many  good  qualities  that  I  don't  write  down  here.  He  died  on 
Monday  morning  and  was  buried  on  Tuesday  in  the  burying  place  on  his  own  land,  between 
his  house  and  the  North  River,  lying  along  side  two  of  his  sons  who  lay  buried  in  the 
same  ground." 

The  descendants  of  Colonel  Hasbrouck  now  residing  in  Newburgh  are  through  his  son 
Isaac  (2),  who  was  born  Sefj^t.  2.3, 1761;  died  Aug.  21,  1806.  He  married  (1784)  Hannali 
daughter  of  Daniel  Birdsall,  who  died  Dec.  27,  1807,  aged  45  years.  His  children  were : 
1.  Jonathan,  who  occupied  for  many  years  the  head-quarters  homestead ;  2.  Sarah,  who 
married  Hon.  Walter  Case;  3.  Israel,  died  unmarried;  4.  Eli,  who  married  first,  Harriet, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Belknaj)  (ante  p.  358)  ;  5.  Rachel;  6.  Mary.  The  children  of  Eli  (4) 
were:  1.  Israel  ;  2.  Charles  H.,  married  Helen,  daughter  of  John  Carrie  ;  3.  James  B.,  now 
of  New  Windsor;  4.  Sarah,  married  Daniel  B.  Boice;  5.  Eli,  Jr.,  married  Susan  R.  Bill; 
6.  Mary  ;  7.  Alice,  married  Sanuiel  W.  Miller. 

(2)  Benjamin  married  Elsie  Schoonmaker  and  left  three  sons,  viz: 
1.  Benjamin;  2.  Cornelius;  3.  Joseph.  Cornelius  (2)  married  Jane 
Kelso  in  1799.  He  left  two  sons:  1.  Willijim  C,  and  2.  Benjamin  C, 
and  one  daughter,  8.  Margaret,  who  maiTied  Captain  Eli  Perry  (for 
several  years  in  command  of  the  steamer  James  Madison  )^ — ^of  whom 

William  C.  (1),  was  born  Aug.  23,  1800;  married  Mary  E.  daughter  of  William  Roe, 
June  28,  1831 ;  died  Nov.  1870;  had  three  sons,  viz:  William  H.,  Henry  C,  and  Roe,  and 
three  daughters:  Maria  H.,  Emily  A.,  and  Blandina.  He  gradviated  at  Union  College  at 
the  same  time  William  H.  Seward  was  an  undergraduate,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Frank- 
lin, Tenn.,  where  he  became  principal  of  the  Academy  founded  by  Bishop  Otey.  Among 
his  pupils  and  friends  there  were  many  then  and  since  distinguished  in  the  history  of  the 
nation,  among  whom  were  John  Bell,  Sam.  Houston,  Felix  Grundy,  Andrew  Jackson,  and 
Matthew  F.  Maury.  Returning  to  the  North,  he  became  principal  of  the  Farmers'  Hall 
Academy,  at  Goshen,  in  1822  ;  and  commenced  there  the  study  of  law  with  Mr.  Wisner. 
He  completed  his  legal  studies  with  William  Ross,  in  Newburgh  ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1826,  and  rose  rapidly  to  rank  in  his  profession.  He  was  frequently  the  candidate  of 
his  party  for  i)olitical  honors  ;  but,  his  party  being  in  th(!  minority  in  the  district,  he  was 
without  success.  He  was,  however,  elected  to  the  Assembly  of  1847,  and  was  chosen 
Speaker  of  that  body.  He  was  a  man  of  higli  bearing,  spotless  character,  and  a  chivah-ic 
sense  of  honor  and  duty  :  few  men  enjoyed  a  morii  unblemished  reputation,  both  at  liome 
and  abroad.  In  person  he  was  tall  and  slender,  of  attractive  presence,  and  courteous 
manners  ;  liberal  in  his  charities ;  American  in  every  aspiration  of  his  nature. 

Mr.  Hasbrouck's  oldest  son,  WilHam  H.,  is  a  practicing  lawyer.  His  second  son,  Henry 
C, ,  graduat<^d  at  the  West  Point  Military  Academy,  May,  1861 ;  served  as  Lieutenant  under 
Captain  Griffin,  5th  Artillery,  U.  S.  A.,  in  first  Bull  Run,  also  at  Miner's  Hill  and  Newport 
News  ;  promoted  Captain  4th  Artillery,  ahd  in  service  in  the  Modoc  campaign.  Roe,  his 
third  son,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1876. 


THE    ROE    FAMILY. 

The  Roe  family  of  Newburgh  are  the  descendants  of  John  Roe, 
born  1628,  emigrated  from  Ireland  in  1641,  died  in  1711,  and  his 
wife,  Hannah  Purrer,  an  emigrant  from  England.  He  settled  at 
■'Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  in  1(555.  Of  his  childi'en,  Nathaniel  married 
Hannah  Reeve,  and  had  five  children,  viz:  1.  Nathaniel;  2.  John;  8. 
Elizabeth;  4.  Hannah;  5.  Deborah.     Nathaniel  (1)  married  Elizabeth 


372  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

Phillips,*  and  had  eight  children,  viz:  1.  Phillips;  2.  James;  3.  Eliz- 
abeth; 4.  William;  5.  Hannah;  6.  Elizabeth;  7.  Sarah;  8.  Deborah — 
of  -whom  James  (2)  married  EHzabeth  Eltinf^.f  of  Esopus,  Ulster 
county,  Oct.  19,  1770,  and  had:  1.  James;  2.  Elizabeth;  3.  John  E.; 
4.  Sylvester;  5.  Ann;  6.  William;  7.  Nathaniel;  8.  Kachel;  9.  Peter- 
all  of  whom  were  bom  in  Kingston.  He  removed  to  Cornwall, 
Orange  county,  after  the  Eevolution,  where  he  married,  second,  the 
widow  of  Comfort  Sands,  and  died  there  in  1815.  Of  his  cliildren 
by  his  first  wife — 

AVilliam  (0),  born  May  11,  1781,  died  in  Newburgh  in  18fi8,  married 
Maria,  daughter  of  Thomas  Hazard,  of  New  York,  and  had:  1.  Thomas 
Hazard;  2.  Mary  Elizabeth,  mai-ried  William  C.  Hasbrouck;  3.  William 
James,  mai-ried  Anna  Lawrence  Clark;  4.  Emily  Maria.  Early  in  life 
he  went  to  New  York  where  he  was  employed  as  a  clerk  by  John 
Jacob  Astor,  and  in  that  capacity  made  a  voyage  to  Canton  in  one  of 
Astor's  vessels  in  foreign  trade.  Subseqiiently  he  became  a  wholesale 
grocer  and  importer,  from  which  he  retired  \Yitii  an  ample  fortune. 
He  removed  to  NcAvburgh  in  182(5,  but  engaged  in  no  other  business 
here  than  that  of  president  of  the  Newburgh  AMiaHng  company. 

Peter  (9),  born  Sept.  14,  1789,  settled  in  New  Windsor,  where  he 
married  Susan,  daughter  of  Jonas  Williams,!  ^^^  had:  1.  Oswald  W., 
died  young;  2.  Alfred  C. ;  3.  James  G. ;  4.  Susan  E. ;  5.  Wilham  W. ; 
6.  Peter;  7.  Edward  P.;  8.  Mary  Abigail.  His  sons,  Rev.  Alfred  C. 
(2),  and  Rev.  Edward  P.  (7),  have  more  than  a  local  reputation,  the 
latter  thi'ough  his  popular  works,  "Banners  Biimed  Away,"  "  Opening 
of  a  Chestnut  Burr,"  etc.  He  acquired  in  political  circles,  the  repu- 
tation of  the  lii-st  "  abolitionist "  in  the  county  of  Orange. 

A  second  Orange  county  branch  of  the  family  are  the  descendants 
of  William  (4),  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth  (Pliillips)  Roe,  Avho 
married  IMary  Van  Duzer,  of  Cornwall,  and  whose  sister  Elizabeth, 
maiTied  Thomas  Coleman  of  the  same  town.  He  became  a  resident 
of  Cornwall  after  his  marriage;  was  an  active  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian cluu-ch  at  Betlilehem,  and  was  a  captain  in  the  continental  ser- 
vice in  the  army  of  the  Revolution.  (Ante  p.  279.)  He  subsequently 
removed  to  Danby,  Tompkins  county,  N.  Y. 


*  Dausrhfor  of  Rev.  George  riiillips.  h<irn  at  Rowlev.  IMas^s..  1(!64;  died  at  Setauket.  L. 
I.,  1739.  He  was  a  Rradnatc  at  Harvard  in  l(VS»i;  was  uiinistev  at  Setauket  in  1697,  and 
eontimied  \uitil  his  death  in  17:^!).  He  was  tlie  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Phillips,  of  Rowlev, 
and  Ljrandson  of  Rev.  George  Phillips,  of  Boxwortli,  England,  and  afterwards  tirst  minis- 
ter of  Watertown,  Mass.,  havint;  arrived  with  Governor  Winthrop,  in  1830. 

t  Panghter  of  John  Elting  and  his  wife.  Miss  WhitaUer.  I\[r.  Eltiiig  afterwards  married 
a  sister  of  Vo\.  Abraham  Hasbrouek,  of  Kingston,  and  had  one  daughter,  who  married 
Sylvester  Salisbury. 

t  Jo'ias  Williams  was  born  on  Long  Island.  He  removed  to  Cornwall,  during  the  Revo- 
lution, where  lie  married  Abigail,  daughter  of  Samuel  Brewster,  who  had  settled  on  the 
Mooaiia  in  Ho.'")  and  established  a  saw-mill,  and  a  forge  and  anehor  shop.  His  son,  Samuel 
>\  ilhams,  was  a  merchant  in  Newburgh. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES.  373 


A  third  branch  are  the  descendants  of  Jolm  Eoe,  who  is  presumed 
to  have  been  a  grandson  of  the  first  John.  He  settled  in  the  precinct 
of  Goshen  prior  to  the  Revolution,  and  had  sons  Nathaniel  and  Wil- 
liani,  the  former  a  captain  of  militia  under  its  first  organization,  and 
of  local  distinction  in  other  respects.  Sylvester  Roe,  the  first  painter 
in  Newburgh  of  record,  was  of  this  stock,  and  also  Jefferson  Roe. 


WOLVERT  ACKER,  OR  ECKER. 

Wolvert  Acker,  or  Ecker,*  was  the  great-grandson  of  Jan  Ecker, 
one  of  the  early  Dutch  settlers  of  Greenbiu'gh,  Westchester  county, 
and  was  born  there  Jan.  17,  1132.  f  He  j^urchased,  in  1772,  the  ex- 
treme northern  part  of  the  Harrison  patent,  and  soon  after  removed 
to  Newbiu'gh,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  17th  Jan.  1799,  at  the  age  of  67  years.  | 

Mr.  Et'KEK  was  a  iiiaii  of  {;5euerous  heart  and  patriotic  impulses.  He  entered  warmly 
into  the  struggle  for  Independence  ;  contributed  freely  his  time  and  his  money  to  the 
cause,  and  from  first  to  last  was  one  of  the  most  reliable  men  in  the  precinct.  He  was 
appointed  chairman  of  the  tlommittee  of  Safety  for  the  precinct,  in  1775,  and  took  espe- 
cially under  his  cognizance  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  where  a  strong  feeling  existed 
in  favor  of  the  Crown.  His  house  soon  became  a  favorite  resort  for  tlie  whigs  in  that  sec- 
tion of  the  country,  and  especially  would  they  gather  there  on  the  Sabbath  to  learn  the 
progress  of  events.  On  such  occasions  he  would  wait  until  a  fair  audience  had  assembled, 
and,  after  reading  a  chapter  from  his  old  Dutch  Bible,  would  detail  all  the  intelligence  he 
had  received  ;  the  Neitj  York  Packet,  the  whig  paper  of  the  day,  was  also  read,  and  the 
aflairs  of  the  country  discussed.  In  this  manner  he  continually  strengthened  the  hands 
and  hearts  of  the  friends  of  Liberty  during  the  whole  war.  The  tories  he  hatted  intensely; 
watched  their  movements  with  untiring  zeal,  and  punished  many  of  them  for  their  depre- 
dations. After  the  war  he  engaged  in  milling,  and  in  the  manufacture  of  brick.  He  es- 
tablished the  landing  on  the  Hudson  now  known  as  Hampton,  and  also  a  ferry  between 
that  place  and  Wappinger's  Falls.  His  death  was  occasioned  by  a  cancer  on  the  face, 
from  which  he  suffered  for  several  years. 

Mr.  Ecker  was  married  twice.  His  first  wife  died  without  issue; 
liis  second  was  Sarali,  daughter  of  William  Pugsley,  of  Westchester 
county,  by  whom  he  had: 

(1)  Isaac  died  unmarried. 

*  It  is  so  written  in  the  early  records  of  Westchester  county,  and  by  his  son,  Capt.  Wm. 
Ecker.  In  the  previous  part  of  this  work  the  name  has  been  given  Aeker,  as  it  is  usually 
so  spelled  in  the  records.  The  name  was  probably  Acker,  and  the  change  in  the  orthog- 
rapliy  evidently  had  its  origin  in  the  fact  that  the  accented  A  has  the  sound  of  E,  in  Ger- 
man.'  Wol/ert  and  Woltert  are  both  used,  as  in  the  German  v  has  the  sound  of  our/. 

t  Bolton,  in  his  Histoi-y  of  Westchester  County,  has  the  following  reference  to  the  Ecker 
family,  and  to  the  homestead  originally  held  by  them  but  subsequently  by  Washington 
Irving,  and  known  as  Sunny  Side,  viz  :  "  Van  Tassel  house  occupies  the  "site  of  '  Wolfert's 
Roost,'  which  was  built  by  VVolfert  Ecker,  an  ancient  Dutch  burgher  of  this  town  (Green- 
burgh).  In  1697,  we  find  recorded  the  name  of  Jan  Ecker,  first  accepted  deacon  of  the 
Dutch  church,  Sleepy  Hollow,  which  office  he  appears  to  have  held  for  several  years.  By 
his  wife,  Magdalentje,  he  left  issue  Wolfert,  Coruehs,  and  others.  The  will  of  Wolfert 
Ecker  bears  date  1753,  wherein  he  bequeaths  to  his  'stm,  Stephen,  a  cow,  or  the  worth 
thereof,  more  than  the  others,  for  his  birth-right,'  and  to  his  grandson,  Wolfert  Ecker, 
twenty  shillings,  besides  other  bequests."  Irving,  in  his  Wolfert's  Itoost,  has  immortal- 
ized both  the  homestead  and  the  name  of  its  ancient  proprietor. 

I  Inscription  on  the  monument  in  the  burial  ground  at  Marlborough  :  "  In  memory  of 
Wolvert  Ecker,  who  died  Jan.  17,  1779,  aged  67  years.  '  A  man  of  sorrows  and  acquaint- 
ed with  grief.' " 


374  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 

(2)  Susan  married  first,  Jos.  Williams,  and  had  Wolvert  A.,  James, 
and  Clementine;  and  second,  Leonard  Smith,  and  had  William,  who 
was  drowned  in  the  disaster  to  the  sloop  Neptune  in  1824. 

{',])  Deborah  married  Doct.  John  Pinckney,  of  Duchess  county,  a 
branch  of  the  South  Carolina  stock  of  that  name,  and  had  Isaac, 
Cju-oliue,  Hai-riet,  Edwju'd,  Julia,  Theodore,  tuid  Deborah. 

(4)  William  mai'ried  Sarah  Badger,  of  Poughkeepsie,  and  had 
Theodore  M.,  Clai-a,  Phebe,  Susan,  William,  Belinda,  Harriet,  Charles, 
Oeorge  and  Sarah.  He  was  a  man  justly  esteemed  for  many  virtues; 
held  several  military  commissions;  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
died  while  a  member  of  the  legislature  in  1827,  in  his  48th  year. 
The  following  is  the  record  of  his  children: 

Theodore  M.,  manied  Harriet  F.  Brownson,  daughter  of  Hon.  Wni.  A.  Thompson,  of 
Tlionipsoii,  SuUivan  county,  and  died  in  183(),  at  St.  Louis,  leaving  one  daughter,  Augusta 
T.  Eelcer,  who  married  Rev.  Dunean  C.  Niven.  William  married  in  Georgia  and  died 
tliere,  leaving  three  sons,  Wolvert.  Edward  Badger,  and  Robert.  Belinda  married  I'hiliji 
J.  rarteiiheiuier.  of  Ithaea.  Harriet  resides  in  San  Franeiseo,  where  she  was  mairied 
first  to  Wni.  M.  l^dily,  formerly  of  Now  York,  and  second  to  George  Hawks.  George  is  a 
jeweler  in  San  Francisco.  Charles  resides  in  San  Francisco.  Sarah,  the  yonugest,  mar- 
ried a  Mr.  Harvey  of  San  Francisco,  and  resides  there. 

(5)  Phebe  married  Hon.  John  P.  Jones,  of  Sullivan  county,  and 
had  Sanuiel,  died  in  childhood,  ^^'illiam,  Perthenia,  INIary,  Henrietta, 
and  Phebe.     She  died  April  2,  1840.* 

(G)  Sarah  married  James  Lockwood  of  Norwalk,  Comi.,  and  had 
Catharine  ¥.,  Han-iet  C,  William  E.,  Emma  C,  Helen  M.  (nuu-ried 
Alex.  Bell),  Morris  W.,  and  John  E. 


THE    PENNY    FAMILY. 

Joseph  Penny  was  born  in  '\^'ales,  Eug.  The  time  of  his  emigra- 
tion to  this  country  is  not  known.  His  occupation  was  that  of  school- 
master, in  Avliich  capacity  he  was  employed  by  the  trustees  of  the 
Glebe  prior  to  the  Revolution;!  he  has  also  local  reputation  through 
a  recipe  for  the  cure  of  hydrophobia.  |  He  pvu'chased  the  Wtillace 
patent,  where  he  settled  his  sons,  ^^^illiam,  John,  James,  Peter,  Joseph, 
Robinson,  ADen,  and  Isaac.  His  oldest  daughter  married  Daniel 
Everett,  of  Ulster  comity;  his  second  daughter,  PoUy,  married  James, 
son  of  Robert  Ross;  Betsey  married  WiUiam  Wilson,  and  Nelly  died 
unmarried.  \\'illium,  the  oldest  son  of  Joseph  Penny,  was  born  i\Iay 
21),  1759,  and  died  Dec.  7,  18;}2.  His  wife,  Hannah,  was  born  June 
20,  17(51,  and  died  Jan.  20,  1833.  His  son,  WiUiam,  died  Jan.  31, 
1840,  aged  ()0  yeai-s,  2  months,  and  17  days;  tuid  liis  ^Aife,  Mercy,  died 
Nov.  4,  1857,  aged  (it!  yeju's.  Descendants  of  Joseph  Penny  are  now 
residents  of  Newbui-gh,  CornwiiQ,  Deerpark,  etc. 

*  Sec  Quinlan's  History  of  Sullivan  County,  552.  +  Ante  p.  128,  338. 

i  This  recipe  was  engraved  and  copyrighted  by  Mr.  Penny's  heirs,  some  years  ago. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  37^ 


JOHN    NATHAN    HUTCHINS. 

Ill  addition  to  tlie  facts  already  stated  in  the  pag'es  of  this  work,* 
ill  reference  to  the  old  teacher  of  the  (Hebe  school,  John  Nathan 
Hutchins,  the  following-  obituary  notice  from  the  New  York  Packet  of 
July  18,  178!2,  can  only  be  added,  viz: 

"Died — On  Monday,  8tli  inst.,  in  the  oifjlity-seoond  year  of  his  age,  af'ler  a  sliort  illness, 
greatly  lamented,  that  reputable  and  useful  citizen,  noted  mathematician  and  asti'ononier, 
Mr.  John  Nathan  Hutchins.  He  was  a  person  of  excellent  nnderstanding,  facetious  and 
cheerful  in  his  temper,  charitable  to  the  poor,  a  faithful  husband  and  au  obliging  neighbor. 
He  lived  a  pious  and  exemplaiy  lifi^ ;  and  as  he  lived,  lie  died  a  sincere  Obristian  ;  and  has 
left  his  aged  consort,  who  with  his  nuuK^rous  acquaintances,  regret  \m  loss.  His  remains 
were  decently  interred  in  Newburgh  the  day  following  his  death." 


THE   INNIS    FAMILY. 

James  Innis  was  brou<^ht  to  this  country  from  Ireland,  while  an 
infant,  about  the  year  1737.  His  mother  and  her  sisters  settled  in 
Little  Britain,  where  he  received  an  education  in  the  ordinary  English 
branches,  from  George  and  James  Clinton.  He  married  Sybil  Ross, 
of  Morristown,  N.  J.,  and  settled  in  Newburgh  in  1780.  His  children 
were:  1.  James;  2.  Jane;  3.  Keziah;  4.  Lydia;  5.  Peter;  6.  Benjamin; 
7.  Elsie;  8.  Sarah;  J).  William;  10.  Aaron.  James  (1)  died  unmarried. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  in  the  battle 
of  Monmouth.  Jane  (2)  married  WiUiam  Irwin  and  removed  to  Ohio. 
Keziali  (3)  married  James  Owen.  Lydia  (4)  married  Moses  Hanmore. 
Peter  (5)  died  unmarried.  Benjamin  (6)  manied  Margaret  Denton. 
Elsie  (7)  married  Thomas  Aldrich.  Sarah  (8)  married  Anthony 
Presler.  Aaron  (10)  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  Luff  Smith.  William 
(9)  married  Elizabeth, f  daughter  of  James  Warring,  and  had:  SaUy, 
married  Isaac  Denniston;  Ross,  married  Catharine  Cook;  Rebecca, 
married  Richard  Ward,  Jr.;  Wygant;  William,  Jr.,  married  Catharine 
Jessup;  Aaron,  married  Phebe  Ann  Warring. 


THE    REEVE    FAMIEY. 

"The  first  of  the  family  of  the  name  of  Reeve  came  to  America 
from  Wales,  not  far  fi-om  KJGO,  and  settled  at  Mattituck,  L.  I.  Tra- 
dition says  there  were  two  brothers;  their  names  Thomas  and  James. 
James,  the  progenitor  of  the  Newburgh  family,  died  at  Mattituck  in 
1739,  aged  60  years.  His  children  were:  1.  James;  2.  Selah;  3.  Isaac; 
4.  Nathaniel;  5.  Ebenezer."|  Selah  (2)  settled  on  a  farm  near  the 
old  homestead.  When  the  British  obtained  possession  of  Long- 
Island  they  endeavored  to  enlist  the  inhabitants  in  favor  of  the  kinff 
by  offering  them  the  oath  of  allegiance,  accompanied  with  the  assu- 

*  Ante  p.  179,  338. 

+  Mrs.  Innis  was  killed  by  being  accidentally  thrown  from  a  wagon,  Jan.  18,  1840. 

X  Griffin's  Journal.    First  Bettlcrs  of  Mattituck.  L.  I.,  &c.,  by  Augustus  Griffin, 


370  HISTORY  OF  NEWBunarr. 

ranee  that  if  they  would  accept  it  they  should  not  only  be  exempt 

from  molestation,  but  supplies  for  the  troops  would  be  puri'hased 

Ironi  tht^m  and  paid  for  in  ^old.     If  the  oath  was  rejected,  however, 

the  troops  would  seize  whatever  they  miji^ht  require.     To  secure  ease 

and  peace,  many  of  the  settlers  embraced  the  terms  oifered;  but  there 

were  those  who  esteemed  the  cause  in  which  they  were  engaoed  too 

sacred  to  be  bfU'tered  away  thus  lijjlitly,  and  who  refused  the  proffered 

terms.     Selah  Keeve  was  among  the  latter  class.     The  British  officers 

gave  him  thn^e  weeks  in  which  to  reconsider  his  determination,  and 

intimated  thai  if,  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he  still  refused  the 

oath,  they  would  take  possession  of  his  property.     During  the  interval 

granted,  Mr.  Reeve  gathered  together  a  small  sum  of  money,  obtained 

a  lisliing  scow,  and  placed  on  boju'd  some  provisions  and  clothing,  and 

informed  his  family  that  they  must  he  in  readiness  to  leave  their  home 

at  any  moment;  that  when  the  officers  made  their  next  appejwance,  ho 

should  embiu-k  and  escape.     Prompt  to  their  appointment,  the  officers 

returned  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  which  they  had  fixed;  but  Mr. 

Eeove  discovered  their  approach  in  time  to  make  his  escape,  reaching 

his  vessel  and  casting  t)li"  from  the  shore  just  as  the  officers  had  passed 

through  the  house  and  emerged  from  the  back  door.     Waving  his 

hand  to  his  baffied  pursuers.  Reeve  steered  for  the  Connecticut  shore, 

where  he  landed,  juid  subsequently  purchased  an  inland  fju-m  in  that 

state,  where  he  settled.     After  tlie  wai',  he  puri'hased  (1784)  a  fju'm 

situated  about  three  miles  north  of  the  then  village  of  Newbiu'gh,  tt) 

which  he  removed  soon  after.     He  died  Feb.   21,   17i)(),   in  his   55th 

yeai',  Jind  his  wLte  died  Jan  '21,  1820,  aged  84  yeai*s.     His  sons  were: 

1.  Selali;  2.  James;  8.  Jost^ph. 

Sei.ah  Ref.vk  (1)  was  first  engaged  iu  the  milling  business  at  Hunting-Grove  (now  Bus- 
kirk's  mills),  on  the  Otterkill,  in  the  town  of  New  Windaor,  sometime  about  the  year  1798 

or  '99.  After  a  few 
years  he  returned 
to  Newbiirjih  and 
began  the  making 
of  brown  earthen 
ware — a  new  busi- 
ness at  that  time, 
and    an    article  of 

manufacture  in  great  ileiuaml.  Mr.  Burling  was  subseiiuently  associated  with  him  in  this 
business,  wliicli  was  couiluctcil  on  the  east  side  of  Smith  street  near  South,  and  iu  con- 
nection with  it  they  opened  a  crockery,  glass,  and  eai-tlien-ware  store.  He  afterwards 
ontered  into  tl»t>  mercantile  and  forwarding  business,  associated  with  William  H.  Falls,  as 
the  successor  of  Jacob  and  Tliomas  Powell.  Ht>  died  April  11, 1837,  a  few  years  after  he 
had  retired  friuu  business.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Christopher  and  Julia 
(Tusten*)  Van  Diizer  of  Ncwburgh,  in  179.5,  and  had:  1.  Milliccnt,  d.  in  infancy;  2.  Chris- 
topher; 3.  Charles  F.  V.;  4.  Julia  Ann;  f).  C.eorge;  (i.  EUza;  7.  Jane;  8.  Nathan;  9.  Harriet 
M.;  10.  Mary  E.,  d.  in  infancy;  11.  Selah.    Christopher  (2)  married  Maria  Hasbrouck,  and 

*  Julia  Van  Duzer  was  fonnerlv  Jidia  Tusten,  a  sister  of  Lieut.  Col.  Benjamin  Tiisten 
who  was  killed  iu  tlio  battle  ot  Miuuisiuk. 


BIOURAPlHrAL  SKETCHES.  377 


bad  Sclali  v.,  Sarah  E.,  Hasbrouek,  and  LouiH.  He  was  en^jaged  in  the  nierc-aiitih;  and 
foiwanling  busiiiewH  in  N<!w))urf/li  for  Hcvt-ral  yearw,  and  HuljHequ<;ntly  in  the-  lumber  trade 
at  Detroit,  w)icr(!  ln'  died  in  IHiVii.  ('liarloH  F.  V.  (8),  niairied  Adaline  Amor,  of  New 
York;  and  after  h<;r  death.  Julia  Ann  Fer^uHon.  He  wan  an  importing  merchant  in 
Cliarleston,  K.  (.'.,  for  several  .years;  HubBequently  engaged  in  IjUHineuH  with  his  brother 
('hristophir,  in  Ncwbiirgh,  and  in  milling  and  farming  at  Shawangunli,  Ulntf^r  county.  Ho 
died  iu  N'ewburgh,  Oct.  12,  1875,  in  hiw  70th  year.  Julia  Ann  (4)  married  Daniel  S.  'J'utliill. 
George  (5)  married  Caroline  IngerHoli.  He  continued  the  mercantile  businesn,  at  the  old 
Btand  i)f  hin,  father,  until  his  death  in  1853  or  '.54.  Eliza  (fi)  married  Hon.  John  W.  lirown; 
Hlie  died  in  1874,  leaving  two  sons,  William  it.  and  (Jharles  F.  Jane  (7)  married  Alexander 
C.  MuUiner.  Nathan  (8)  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Kelah  lleevc  Hobbie,  of  Washington. 
He  studied  law  with  Hon.  John  W.  Hrown,  and  ]jractic,ed  his  profession  in  Newbui-gh  for 
several  years.  Harriet  M.  (9),  married  Itev.  Wui.  McLaren.  Helah  (10),  married  Lilly 
8now,  of  Providence,  K.  L;  died  in  Toledo  in  18GC. 

Jamks  Uki;vk  (2)  was  a  mariner  from  his  youth.  He  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  iJritish, 
during  the  war  of  1812,  when  within  two  days  sail  of  New  York,  and  caiTi<,d  to  England 
and  confined  in  Dartmoor  prison.  He  was  in  thiH  pri.son  and  a  participant  in  the  scenes 
enacted  there  on  the  4Mi  of  July,  1813,  and  Ajn-il  <>th,  1814,  as  W(;I1  as  in  all  the  horrors  of 
that  most  hori'ible  jjlace.  He  es<;aped  without  uijur}'  from  the  massacre  of  April  (ith,  and 
on  tlic  final  release  of  the  prisoners,  he  returned  to  Newburgh.  Not  long  after  his  return, 
however,  he  was  seriously  injuretl  by  the  bursting  of  a  lime  kiln,  and  died  in  the  conrHe 
ol  a  year.     He  was  never  married. 

Joseph  Ukeve  (3)  commenced  the  gold  and  silversmith  business  in  1804,  and  afU^rwards 
added  to  it  the  manufai^tnre  of  whalebone  whips,  of  which  he  was  the  patentee.  He  died 
in  Hei)tend)f;r,  1828,  after  an  illness  of  sev<;ral  months,  from  an  injury  on  the  hca<i  (caused 
by  blows  inflicted  by  two  ruHiaiis  in  the  Htreet.  His  wife  waH  P^unice  Hayre,  by  whom  he 
had:  1.  CharleH,  married  Katuru  Wilson  ;  was  tli(^  successor  of  liis  father  in  the  silversmith 
business;  2.  Decatur,  mar ri<,<l  Frances  A.  Horton ;  3.  Anthony  D.,  married  a  Miss  Velt- 
man ;  4.  Caroline,  married  Doct.  J.  D.  Kloan,  and  left  one  son,  James  T.  Hloan ;  5.  John, 
died  unmun'ied. 


WILLIAM    SKYMOUn. 

William  Seymour  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Seymour,  of  Greenwi(;li, 
Conn.,  where  he  was  Ijom  April  18,  1758.  His  first  wife  was  Esther 
Sands,  of  Lon<:(  Island,  l>y  wliom  he  had:  1.  William,  2.  Samuel  Sands, 
3.  Drake,*  and  4.  Esther.  He  married,  second,  Eliza,  dauf^hter  of 
Henry  PoweU,  of  Long  Island,  and  had:  5.  Margaret,  who  marritid 
Joseph  Kemochan,  and  6.  Mary  Powell,  who  mairied  James  S.  Abeel, 
of  U.  S.  army.  He  removed  to  Newburgh  about  the  year  1790,  and 
commenced  the  mercantile  business  on  the  north-west  comer  of  Water 
and  Fourth  streets,  and  soon  after  opened  a  branch  store  at  Platte- 
kill.  He  subsequently  engaged  in  shiii-building  here,  and  constnicted, 
firnt,  the  Liverixjol  Pa/;h'l;  second,  the  William  Fenn,  and  third,  the 
Ontario.  These  vessels  were  among  the  most  successful  in  the  Liver- 
pool trade.  The  Ontario  was  of  five  hundred  tons  burthen,  and  was 
the  largest  ship  that  sailed  from  New  York  at  the  time  of  her  con- 
struction. He  was  also  largely  interested  in  real  estate  in  Newl)urgh 
and  its  vicinity,  and  was  active  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  town. 
In  1805,  he  accidentally  fell  into  the  hold  of  the  ship  Ontario,  and  re- 

*  Drake  Heymour  was  accidentally  shot  while  on  a  hunting  excursion,  June,  1824, 
William  resides  in  Brooklyn. 


378  HISTORY  OF   NEWBURGH. 

ceived  iiijiiries  which  rendered  him  unable  to  walk  during  the  remain- 
der of  his  life.  This  accident  obliged  him  to  withdraw  from  business. 
He  died  in  1811.  It  is  due  to  his  memory  to  say,  that  none  of  the 
early  settlers  of  the  town  contributed  more  to  develop  its  business 
and  commercial  interests,  or  was  more  highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow- 
citizens. 


THE    WARREN    FAMILY. 

The  Warrens,  who  are  supposed  to  be  of  Norman  origin,  were 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  New  England.  Richard  Warren  was 
one  of  the  pilgrims  by  the  Ma}^  Flower,  and  settled  in  Plymouth. 
John  Warren  came  to  America  in  1630,  and  settled  in  Watertown, 
Mass.  Another  John  Warren,  supposed  to  have  been  a  brother  to 
Richard,  settled  in  Salem  in  1630.  Peter  Wan-en,  who  was  probably 
a  son  of  John  of  Salem,  settled  in  Salem,  and  from  him  Genl.  Joseph 
Warren,  the  patriot  of  Bunker  HiU,  was  a  lineal  descendant.* 

The  earliest  mention  of  the  name  in  Newburgh  occurs  in  the  rec- 
ords of  the  First  Presbyterian  chiu'ch,  where,  under  date  of  July  23, 
1783,  the  marriage  of  "John  Warren  of  Mass.,  and  Elizabeth  Belknap, 
of  Newburgh,"  is  written.  In  reference  to  the  genealogy  of  this  branch 
of  the  family  it  appears  that  John  Warren  came  to  America  in  1630, 
and  settled  in  Watertown,  Mass.  His  children  were  John,  Mary, 
Daniel,  and  Elizabeth,  who  were  probably  all  born  in  England. 
Daniel  married  Mary  Barron,  Dec.  10,  1650,  and  had  nine  children,  of 
whom  the  seventh  was  John,  b.  Mai'ch  5th,  1665,  and  who  married 
Mary  Brown.  He  had  three  children,  of  whom  John  (b.  March  15, 
1684-5),  had  two  children,  viz:  Beulah,  b.  Aug.  23,  1725,  married 
John  Hobbs,  of  Brookfield;  and  Josiah,  b.  Feb.  17,  1714-15.  The 
latter  married  Hepzibah  Hobbs,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  f 

John  Warben,  the  youngest  child  of  Josiah  Warren,  was  left  an  orphan  during  his  in- 
fancy, and  was  taken  by  his  aunt,  Beulah,  wife  of  John  Hobbs,  of  Brookfield,  where  he 
resided  until  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  when  he  joined  the  army  of  the  Revo- 
lution, and  participated  in  its  struggles  imtil  the  peace  of  1783.  He  was  engaged  in  several 
of  the  most  imporlant  battles  of  the  war,  and  received  particular  commendation  for  his 
bravery  at  Bunker  Hill  and  at  Monmouth,  and  was  subsequently  raised  to  the  rank  of  cap- 
tain. He  came  with  the  Massachusetts  line  to  the  encampment  at  New  Windsor.  While 
here  he  became  acquainted  with  Miss  Belknap,  a  lady  remarkable  for  her  intelligence  and 
personal  attractions,^  to  whom  he  was  married  at  the  date  already  given.  After  the  dis- 
bandment  of  the  army,  lie  engaged  in  business  pursuits  in  Newburgh  ;  but  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Troy,  and  afterwards  to  Saratoga  Springs,  where  he  died,  Dec.  25,  1823— his  wife 
surviving  him  until  June  21, 1837.  Their  children  were  :  1.  John  H.,  b.  1780.  died  at  Mon- 
tezuma, N.  Y.,  1823,  married  Fanny  KeUogg,  and  had  one  child,  Wilham  L.  F.;  2.  Cynthia 
M.,  b.  Aug.  2, 1788,  married  Miles  Beach,  of  Saratoga  Springs ;  3.  Stephen  R.,  born  Nov. 

*  Genealogy  of  Warren,  by  J.  C.  Warren,  M.  D.        t  Bond's  Genealogies  of  Watertown. 

i  Miss  Belknap  is  said  txj  have  been  the  partner  of  Genl.  Washington,  in  the  opening  set 
of  the  ball  given  at  the  Temple,  April,  1783,  on  the  announcement  of  the  exchange  of  the 
prehmmary  articles  of  peace. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  379 


1790 :  4.  William  L.  F.,  b.  Feb.  4,  1793  ;  5.  Elizabeth  B.,  b.  1795,  married  Doet.  R.  R.  Davis, 
of  SyracuKe;  6.  Caroline  S.,  b.  1798,  married  Benjamin  Carpenter,  of  Newburgh  ;  7.  Mary 
A.,  b.  1800,  married  James  H.  Darrow,  of  Saratoga  Springs. 

William  L.  F.  Warren  (4),  the  son  of  John  H.  Warren  (1),  came  to  Newburgh  early  in 
life,  and  engaged  as  clerk,  with  bis  uncle,  Mr.  Carpenter.  In  1837,  be  became  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  B.  Carpenter  &  Co.,  with  which  he  was  associated  until  its  dissolution.  He 
filled  for  several  terms,  and  with  marked  ability,  the  post  of  president  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  village  ;  was  one  of  the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners,  and  also  of  the 
Board  of  Alms-house  Commissioners  ;  director  in  the  Savings  Bank  of  Newburgh,  and  in 
the  Waiwick  Valley  Railroad,  and  iironiinent  in  other  public  and  private  enterprises,  earn- 
ing for  himself  the  distinction  of  one  of  those  rare  men  upon  whom  the  comnuniity  rely 
for  protection  against  Ill-advised  and  oppressive  legislation,  rather  than  that  of  the  politi- 
cal charlatan  whose  thirst  for  distinction  leads  him  regard  lightly  the  public  interests.  He 
married  C!atharine,  daughter  of  John  H.  Walsh. 

Another  branch  of  the  family  is  that  of  Miles  Warren,  a  resident 
of  Newbm-gh  for  many  years.  His  grandfather  was  James  Warren, 
of  Woodbridge,  now  Bethany,  Conn.,  who  mamed  Abigail  Thomas 
and  had:  Jason,  Sarah,  Rachel,  Abigail,  Nathaniel,  Jemima,  Edward, 
and  Richardson.*  His  son  Richardson,  was  killed  during  the  Revo- 
lution, on  l)oard  the  American  frigate  Tnimbull,  by  a  cannon  baU 
which  passed  through  both  tliighs.  His  son  Nathaniel,  was  bom  Jan. 
15,  1755,  and  married  Susanna,  daughter  of  Isaac  Johnson,  of  Sey- 
mour, Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  six  children,  viz:  Betsey,  Charles, 
Marshall,  Isaac,  Miles,  Susan.  Miles  was  born  at  Bethany,  Conn., 
July  4,  1790,  died  in  Newburgh,  18 — .  He  maiTied,  first,  SaUy  Coe 
(1810)  by  whom  he  had:  George  T.,  WiUiam  S.,  Edward  R.  (died), 
Edward  R.  M.  (died),  Sarah  A.  H.  (died),  and  John  W.  Mrs.  Sally 
W^arren  died  April  13,  1855,  and  he  married  (1856)  Ruth,  daughter 
of  James  MiUer,  of  Crawford,  Orange  county,  by  whom  he  had:  Anson 
Miles,  b.  May  13,  1858.  He  was  a  maker  and  a  dealer  in  boots  and 
shoes  in  Newburgh,  and  also  in  Detroit,  Mich. 

Isaac,  the  foui'th  son  of  Nathaniel  Warren,  was  bom  in  Bethany, 
Conn.,  Dec.  23,  1787.  He  married,  Sept.  12,  1812,  Leonora,  daugh- 
ter of  Israel  Perkins,  and  had:  Israel  P.,  W^illiam  E.,  Susan  H.,  Isaac 
W.,  Harris  F.,  Cornelia  A.,  and  George  F. 

William  E.  Warren,  the  second  son  of  Isaac,  came  to  Newburgh  in  the  spring  of  1836. 
Having  previously  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  as  a  clerk  in  a  manufacturing 
estabUshnient  at  Waterbury,  he  readily  obtained  a  situation  with  D.  Crawford  &  Co.,  as 
book-keeper  and  cashier,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1841.  He  subsequently 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Newburgh  and  New  York,  from  which  he  retired  in  1851. 
He  soon  after  received  the  appointment  of  Auditor  of  the  N.  Y.  &  E.  Railroad  Co.,  which 
post  he  resigned  in  1853,  to  accept  that  of  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Delaware,  Lack- 
awanna and  Western  Railroad  Co.,  of  which  he  was  afterwards  elected  a  director.  He  re- 
signed bis  connection  with  this  company  in  the  spring  of  1858  ;  and  in  1859,  received  the 
appointment  of  Deputy  Comptroller  of  the  city  of  New  York,  which  he  filled  one  term, 
and  subsequently  engaged  in  the  occupation  of  an  accountant.  He  married,  March  25, 
1840,  Lydia  Riggs,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Amelia  Birdsall,  and  has  one  daughter,  Mary 
Cushman  Warren,  married  Rev.  George  D.  Silliman. 


■*  New  Haven  Records. 


380  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUROH. 


THE    CARPENTEK   FAMrLY. 

The  Newburgh  family  of  this  name  are  the  descendants  of  Benja- 
min Carpenter,  who  was  born  in  England  in  1730.  He  emigrated  to 
this  country  at  an  early  age,  and  settled  on  Long  Island,  from  whence 
he  removed  to  Latintown  (then  in  the  town  of  Newburgh),  Ulster 
county,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  He  married  (1764)  Jane, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leonard,  of  Goshen,  and  had  six  children, 
"of  whom,"  says  Mr.  Eager,*  "Jacob  and  Leonard  Carpenter  were 
two.  These  gentlemen,  when  young,  were  ship-builders,  and  con- 
tributed largely  to  promote  the  interests  of  Newburgh.  They  were 
afterwards  the  owners  of  the  Newburgh  feiTy,  and  were  also  engaged 
in  mercantile  and  commercial  pursuits."  Leonard  Carpenter  married 
Bridget,  daughter  of  Isaac  Belknap,  and  had  seven  children,  viz: 

(1)  Benjamin,  born  Feb.  14,  1793,  married  Caroline  S.,  daughter  of 
John  Warren,  of  Saratoga  Springs,  and  had:  1.  Mary  F.,  who  married 
Lewis  M.  Strong,  of  Northampton,  Mass.;  2.  John  W.,  died  in  infancy; 
3.  Warren,  died  in  1849;  4.  Alida  Josepha,  married  Horatio  B.  Reed. 
Mr.  Cai-penter  was  engaged  in  the  forwarding  business  in  Newburgh 
from  1817  to  18(i5.  He  sustained  during  his  whole  career  an  unblem- 
ished reputation.  He  died  January  31st,  1871 ;  Mrs.  Carpenter  died 
April  5tli,  185(J. 

('2)  Ehzabeth,  married  Wm.  Thayer, f  April  2,  1812,  and  had:  1. 
William  L. ;  2.  John  S.,  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Jirah  Stearns, 
formerly  of  Pittsfield,  Mass.;  Elijah  C,  married  Mary  J.,  daughter  of 
Hamilton  Morrison,  of  Montgomery;  4.  George  A.;  5.  Charles  F., 
married  Anna  F.,  daughter  of  Lewis  Miller,  of  New  Windsor;  Anna 
B.,  married  Henry  W.  Dolson;  7.  Caroline  M.,  and  8.  Elizabeth  C. 

(3)  Isaac  R.,  unmarried;  was  at  one  time  owner  of  the  Newbui-gh 
ferry,  and  put  the  first  steamer,  the  Post-Boy,  on  it;  he  also  erected 
the  United  States  hotel,  built  the  "long  dock,"  and  laid  out  and  open- 
ed, at  different  times,  more  miles  of  streets  than  any  other  citizen  of 
his  own  or  earlier  times.  Several  dwellings  of  a  superior  class  and 
other  substantial  contributions  to  progress  are  due  to  him.| 

(4)  Jane  Belknap,  unmarried. 

(5)  Alexander  L.,  married  Elizabeth  Lawrence,  of  Fishkill.  He  died 
at  his  residence  in  Ohio,  October  1,  1848,  leaving  Sarah  L.,  Isaac  L., 
and  Lawrence  F. 

(6)  Sarah  Lydia  Stearns,  unmarried. 

(7)  Cynthia  Warren,  married  Francis  Crawford. 


*  Eager'B  Orange  County,  161,  &c. 

t  William  Thayer  was  horn  in  Brooklyn,  Windham  county,  Conn.,  Sept.  21,  1784.  He 
settled  in  Mewburgh  about  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  and,  in  company 
with  his  brother,  John  Thayer,  was  engaged  in  an  extensive  and  successful  business  for 
several  years.    He  died  April  9, 1855.  J  Ante  p.  201,  252,  etc. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  381 


Hugh  Walsh,  whose  family  was  of  English  origin,  emigrated  from 
the  vicinity  of  Belfast,  Ireland,  in  the  year  1764.  He  settled  at  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  where  he  was  employed  in  the  office  of  a  Mr.  Buchanan, 
a  shipping  merchant,  but  subsequently  removed  to  New  York,  where 
he  engaged  in  business,  and  where  he  married  (1775)  Catharine, 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Jane  Armstrong.  During  the  closing  years  of  the 
Revolution  it  is  presumed  that  he  was  engaged  in  furnishing  supplies 
to  the  American  army  at  Peekskill,  Fishkill  and  Newburgh.  On  one 
of  his  visits  to  the  latter  place,  he  purchased  from  Benjamin  Smith 
(Feb.  22,  1782,)  lots  No.  8,  21,  and  36,  of  the  Township  of  Washing- 
ton (ante  p.  159),  being  one  half  of  the  blocks  bounded  on  the  east 
by  the  river,  north  by  Fourth  street,  and  west  by  Smith  street,  for 
whitdi  he  paid  $130  "in  specie."  He  made  no  settlement  on  his  pur- 
chase ;  but  in  1790  (April  26),  he  purchased  from  Governor  George 
Clinton  the  northern  part  of  the  Chambers  and  Sutherland  patent,* 
including  the  farm  on  which  his  son,  the  late  John  H.  Walsh,  resided 
from  1809  until  his  death  in  1853.  Residing  for  a  year  on  that  part 
of  the  tract  now  known  as  Windsor  Hill,  the  property  of  Thos.  W. 
Chrystie,  he  removed  in  1791  to  Newburgh  and  purchased  the  north- 
east corner  of  Water  and  Second  streets,  including  the  lands  under 
water,  whereon  he  built  a  dock  and  store-house,  "  opposite  to  the  new 
market,"  (the  former  known  for  a  time  as  Walsh's  dock,  now  occu- 
pied by  the  Maillers,)  for  a  general  merchandise  and  freighting  busi- 
ness, the  latter  from  Newburgli  to  New  York  and  Albany,  which  he 
continued  until  1804,  but  sold  his  store  to  John  Shaw  in  1799. 

Mr.  Walsh  also  engaged  in  several  other  business  enterprises.  In 
1792,  with  James  Craig, t  he  built  the  paper  mill  afterwards  owned  by 
his  son,  John  H.  Walsh,  and  now  by  his  grandson,  J.  DeWitt  Walsli. 
About  1794,  he  erected  a  dwelling  house  on  Water  sti-eet  (afterwards 
the  famous  Mansion  House|),  where  he  resided  until  1808,  when  he 
removed  to  a  more  retired  residence  which  he  had  built  on  a  plot 
of  ground  fronting  on  the  north  side  of  Western  Avenue  and  bound- 

*  The  property  was  jnirchased  from  the  lieirs  of  William  Chambers  by  Nathan  Smith  in 
1758.  After  the  death  of  the  latter,  Clinton  was  the  purchaser.  The  price  paid  by  Mr. 
Walsh  was  £15(X),  N.  Y.  currency.  The  property  included  the  water  front  on  the  Hudson 
and  the  land  running  west  on  the  south  side  of  Quassaick  creek. 

t  Father  of  the  late  Hon.  Hector  Craig,  of  Craigville.  :j:  Ante  p.  200. 


382  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUTWH. 

ed  by  Grand  and  Liberty  streets.  Surrounded  by  his  faniUy,  and 
kindly  known  among-  neighbors  and  friends,  and  especially  the  clergy 
to  whom  his  house  was  a  home,  he  here  spent  the  evening  of  his  life 
He  died  in  1817,  in  the  72d  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Walsh  was  one  of  the  most  active  citizens  of  Newburgh  in 
every  thing  relating  to  its  impj-ovement,  and  more  especially  in  ad- 
vancing its  religious  and  educational  interests.  This  fact,  however, 
is  so  amply  shown  in  other  parts  of  this  work  that  it  is  not  necessary 
to  do  more  than  refer  to  it  here.  His  family  consisted  of  eight  chil- 
dren, viz:  1.  Jane;  2.  Eliza,  married  Solomon  Sleight  (afterwards 
Judge  of  Common  Pleas),  and  left  no  surviving  issue;  3.  James,  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Alex.  Robertson,  settled  in  New  York  and 
engaged  in  mercantile  business.  He  died  suddenly,  while  on  a  visit 
to  Richmond,  Va.,  leaving  five  children,  some  of  whom  now  reside  in 
New  York.  4.  Samuel  Armstrong,  who  was  a  physician  and  for  seve- 
ral years  the  surgeon  of  the  West  Point  Mihtary  Academy.  He  mar- 
ried Hester  G.,  daughter  of  Pascal  N.  Smith,  of  New  York,  and  died 
without  issue  in  1829.  5.  John  H.,  late  of  New  Windsor,  whose  char- 
acter as  a  man  of  business,  an  upright  citizen,  and  a  conscientious 
christian,  was  widely  known.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
John  DeWitt,*  formerly  of  Duchess  county,  and  left  issue  seven  chil- 
dren, some  of  whom  are  settled  in  Newburgh  and  its  vicinity.  He 
died  in  1853,  and  liis  widow  in  1875.  6.  Catharine,  married  David 
Andrews  of  New  York;  7.  Mai-y  Ann;  8.  Charlotte,  married  the  Rev. 
Jas.  M.  Matthews,  tii'st  Chancellor  of  the  University  of  New  York. 


THE    DEGROVE    FAMILY. 

Peter  Adolph  DeGrove,  the  founder  of  the  American  family  of  that 
name,  was  one  of  the  Erench  (Huguenot)  settlers  of  New  York,  where 
he  conducted  mercantile  bvisiness  in  1737.  He  had  three  children,  viz: 
1.  Adolph,  who  removed  to  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  where  he  died  leav- 
ing issue  Peter,  who  returned  to  America  and  settled  in  Boston;  2. 

Peter,  who  married  Rebecca ,  and  had  Peter,  who  died  unmarried; 

Adolph,  Avho  settled  in  Newbvu'gh;  Rachel,  who  married  Capt.  John 
Anderson  (1738)  and  left  no  surviving  descendants;  and  Rebecca, 
who  married  an  Albertson,  and  has  descendants  in  the  Str^^kcr,  Law- 
rence, and  Crolius  families  of  New  York ;  3.  Aefie,  who  manied  Gar- 
ret Schuyler,  a  merchant  of  New  York. 


*  John  DeWitt  (erroneously  printed  DeWint,  p.  184)  was  of  a  Holland  t'amilv  and  a  na- 
tive of  the  county  of  Duchess,  where  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  1786,  '88,  and  '04, 
and  sheriff  1789  to  '97.  He  removed  to  Newburgh  in  1806,  and  continued  his  residence  here 
until  his  death.  He  was  especially  active  in  the  construction  of  the  Newburgh  and  Cochec- 
*"."  "•"".P"^'^''  ^^'^  previous  to  the  commencement  of  that  work  had  made  large  purchases 
ot  land  m  Sullivan  county.  It  is  said  that  he  caused  the  first  land  to  be  cleared  and  the 
first  road  to  be  made  in  the  present  town  of  Callicoon,  and  that  his  son  Andrew  built  the 
hrst  house  in  that  town  (1813).    He  died  in  ISOS.—Qimdmts  SuUivan  Cou7dy,  151. 


BIOORAPHIVAL  SKETCHES. 


388 


fV^ 


Adolph,  the  son  of  Peter  DeGrove  (2)  was  one  of  the  refugees  from 
New  York,  at  the  time  of  the  occupation  of  that  city  by  the  EngHsh 
forces.  He  settled  in  Newburgh  in  1777  or  '78,  and  estabhshed  a 
hotel  on  the  south-west  comer  of  Water  and  Third  streets,  which  he 
conducted  for  several  years;  he  subsequently  removed  to  the  opposite 
side  of  the  street,  where  he  also  conducted  a  bakery.  He  took  an 
active  part,  in  the  organization  of  the  First  Presbyterian  church,  of 
which  he  was  a  member.  He  died  Nov.  29,  1796,  in  his  76th  year. 
He  married  first,  a  Miss  Lawrence,  and  had : 

(1)  Adolph,  Jr.,  who  was  an  assistant  quartennaster  at  Newburgh 
(1780),  and  had  charge  of  the  stores  which  were  accumulated  here 

^       from  time 

^/^  /^l^-^.^^         the  use  of 

yy/^  y/^y^  /  the  army.  He 
^^  ^-^  married  (1769)  Ehoda 
Coles,  of  Queens  coun- 
ty, and  had:  1.  Robert 
C,  married  a  Miss  Smith  and  left  one  son,  who  died  without  issue;  2. 
Adolph  L.,  married  Catharine  Gallow,  of  Newburgh,  and  had  eight 
cliildren,  viz:  Edward 'W.,  who  had  two  sons;  Stephen  C,  died  un- 
married; Charles  H.,  left  one  child;  Adolph  L.,  unmarried;  Eliza, 
married  Dr.  Wooster  Beach;  Catharine,  married  Noah  Tompkins; 
Rebecca  Jane,  married  William  Clark;  and  Sarah;  3.  John;  4.  Coles; 
5.  Samuel — all  of  whom  died  unmarried;  and  6.  Sarah,  who  married 
John  Mitchell,  of  L.  I.,  and  left  no  surviving  issue. 

(2)  William,  who  left  issue 


two  sons,  Michael  and  Quin- 

sey,and  one  daughter,  Sarah. 

Quinsey  died  without  issue, 

Dec.  1860.     Michael  had  several  children. — 

Sarah  manned  a  Mr.  Sobietes. 

(3)  John,  Avho  probably  married  and  left  issue.     (4)  Sarah,  who 

married  first,  a  Mr.  Rivers,  by  whom  she  had  Sarah  who  married  a 

Mr.  Hartwich;  and  second,  Enoch  Carter.     (5)  Mary,  who  married  a 

Captain  Smith,  and  left  issue  Benjamin  and  Rebecca. 

— The  second  wife  of  Adolph  DeGrove  was  Mary,  sister  of  Enoch 
Carter,  by  whom  he  had  no  issue. 


384  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBOH. 

THE    CARTER    FAMILY. 

Enoch  Carter,  from  whom  the  family  in  Newburgh  of  that  name 
descended,  was  a  native  of  Philadelphia— a  Quaker  in  creed,  raising 
his  cliildrcn  in  that  faith,  and  of  Enghsh  ancestry.  He  had  one 
brother,  Joseph  Carter,  who  was  an  officer  in  the  English  navy,  and 
who  died  unmarried,  and  one  sister,  Mary,  who  was  the  second  wife 
of  Adolph  DeGrove.*  He  removed  to  New  York  prior  to  the  Kevo- 
lution,  and  prosecuted  there  the  occupation  of  a  tanner  and  currier. 
Although  restrained  by  his  religious  creed  fi-om  taking  an  active  pai-t 
in  the  stniggle  for  independence,  he  made  no  concealment  of  his  po- 
htical  sympathies,  and  hence,  when  the  English  obtained  possession 
of  the  city,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  property  there,  and  to 
seek  personal  safety  Avithin  the  American  lines.  He  located  near  Foi"t 
Montgomery,  where  he  constructed  vats  and  resumed  the  manufacture 
of  leather;  but  returned  to  New  York,  after  peace  was  declared,  and 
resided  there  until  his  death  in  1702. 

Mr.  Carter  married  Sarah  Kivers,  a  widowed  daughter  of  Adolph 
DeGrove  by  his  fii'st  wife,  and  had  six  children,  viz:  1.  Jonathan;  2. 
Adolph,  who  married  Ann  McDowell  of  New  York,  and  had:  George, 
Joseph,  Sarah,  Ann,  Mary,  Margaret  (married  Saml.  Reeve),  Richard, 
and  EMzabcth;  2.  Margaret,  who  mariicd  R.  Henry  Richards,  and  who 
had  two  child!  on,  viz:  Henry,  who  died  at  the  age  of  13  years,  and 
James,  who  died  at  the  age  of  31  years  leaving  issue  Sarah,  who  mar- 
ried Doct.  Chas.  Peck,  and  Henry  ^^'.  4.  Maiy,  who  married  Benja- 
min Halstead,  eldest  brother  of  the  late  Capt.  Charles  Halstead  of 
Newbuigli.  She  died  in  her  29tli  year,  leaving  one  child,  Margaret 
R.,  who  married  Saml.  T.  Callahan.  5.  ICnoch,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  20  years,  without  issue.  6.  Rebecca,  who  married  a  Mr.  Rose,  and 
who  has  descendants  lesiding  in  the  vicinity  of  Foi-t  IMontgomoiy. 

y^  -y~P^  "'y^^       J  Jonathan    (1), 

7/  /  ^^  Enoch  Carter, 

\j^^  was  born  in  New 

York,  Nov.  2,  1772.     He  continued  tlie  business  which  his  father  had 
conducted  in  New  York,  and  provided  for  the  support  of  his  father's 

*  Mrs.  Mary  (Carter)  DeGrove  died  April  20,  1824,  in  her  35th  year.  Referring  to  her 
death,  fill'  Pnli/icai  fndeT  of  April  27,  remarks  :  "  Fow  persons  have  sustained  a  long  life 
so  iisifully  and  irrcpri.achablv  as  the  snbjecf  of  this  notice.  Mrs.  DeGrove  was  almost  the 
last  of  that  class  of  exalted  females  which  adorned  lhe  society  of  our  village  in  former 
times.  The  dames  DuBois.  DeGrove.  Ripgs,  Carpenter,  Bowman,  and  a  few  others  wjio 
might  he  named,  maiotained  by  their  edncation,  piety  and  virtue,  that  distinction  under  a 
democracy  which  a  regal  government  conferred  upon  rank.  Their  manners  wito  formed 
in  tlie  higher  circles  before  the  Revoluticm,  and  were  admirably  maintaiued.  Those  who 
have  enjoyed  their  society  will  long  remendier  the  high-toned  urbanity,  the  excellent  edu- 
cation, the  exalted  piety,  the  charity  of  feeling  and  benevolence  of  action  which  marked 
all  their  intercourse  with  society  and  commanded  it,s  adnuration.  But  it  is  a  part  of  our 
nature  to  perish  ;  and  they  have  been  gathered  to  the  home  of  their  fathers,  full  of  years, 
full  of  honors,  and  we  hope,  crowned  with  immortal  life." 


BTOGRAl'HICAL   SKETCHES. 


385 


family,  until  1798,  when  the  latter  was  broken  up  under  the  panic 
caused  by  the  yellow  fever.  He  then  came  to  Newburgh,  where,  with 
the  assistance  of  his  aunt,  Mrs.  DeGrove,  he  opened  (1709)  a  store 
for  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  tobacco,  and  he  continued  in  that 
business  until  his  death.  He  was  thrice  married — first,  to  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John  Anderson,  Jr.,  who  died  (1799)  in  her  17th  year, 
without  issue;*  second,  to  Bridget,  daughter  of  Benj.  Smith,  who  died 
in  1803  leaving  one  child,  Elizabeth,  who  married  Ward  M.  Gazlay; 
third,  to  Jane  Linderman,f  who  died  in  1830,  leaving  issue:  1.  Enoch; 
2.  Margaret,  who  married  Levi  D.  Woolsey;  3.  Catharine,  who  mar- 
ried Henry  Ryer,  and  4.  Charles.  Mr.  Carter  died  May  30,  1820,  in 
his  48th  year.  He  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  community,  and  "  in 
all  his  relations  he  sustained  an  upright  and  worthy  character." 

Enoch  Carter,  oldest  son  of  Jonathan 
Carter,  was  for  several  years  identified  with 
the  political,  social  and  business  history  of 
Newburgh.  In  early  life  he  shipped  on  one 
of  the  Newburgh  Whaling  Company's  ves- 
sels ;  and  after  his  return  commenced  the 
tobacco  business  in  a  store  opposite  the 
Higlihind  Bank,  where  he  remained  until  ho 
had  opporiunity,  through  the  death  of  Mr. 
Wiley  (his  father's  successor),  to  ^irchase 
the  stock  and  take  possession  of  his  father's 
old  place  of  business,  in  which  he  continued 
the  trade  until  a  few  years  before  his  death. 
He  took  a  deep  interest  in  politics;  was 
frequently  the  candidate  of  the  Democratic 
jiarty  for  local  positions,  and  represented  it 
in  state  and  national  conventions,  gaining 
a  reputation  more  than  local.  His  charac- 
ter was  two-fold — the  outward,  springing 
from  impulse  and  marred  by  the  impress  of  associations  by  sea  and  land  into  which  he 
was  thrown  ;  and  the  inward,  actuated  by  kindly  sympathies  and  noble  purposes.  Of  the 
first  it  is  not  necessary  to  speak,  as  it  was  that  in  which  he  was  most  frequently  met, — a 
compound  of  Quaker  faith  and  charity,  and  of  the  rudeness  of  the  quarter-deck ;  but  in 
the  latter,  he  gave  many  evidences  of  a  strong,  quick  and  original  mind,  developed  by 
habits  of  thought  and  observation.  Perhaps  none  of  the  active  men  of  his  generation 
evinced  a  deeitcr  interest  in  the  prosi)(;rty  of  his  native  place  than  he,  and  certainly  none 
wore  more  self-sacrificing  in  advancing  measures  designed  to  give  to  it  character  abroad. 
If  "  a  liberal  mind  deviseth  liberal  things,"  then  was  he  most  liberal,  for  he  never  wearied 
in  devising  objects  designed  to  confer  some  lasting  good  ;  and  if  not  "  by  apostolic  blows 
and  knocks,"  by  equally  potent  means  he  succeeded  in  grafting  many  of  his  suggestions 
upon  public  and  j)rivato  policy.    He  was  the  originator  of  the  plan  for  separating  tlie  tov/n 


*  John  Anderson  and  John  Anderson,  Jr.,  were  early  merchants  of  Newburgh,  but  it  is 
not,  knowH  that  they  sustained  any  relationship.  The  former  married  Jane  McEoberts  in 
17H0.  His  wife  died  in  181.5,  in  her  45th  year ;  and  he  died  in  1816,  in  his  52d  year.  The 
latter  married  Maria,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Smith  sometime  about  1772.  His'  daughter, 
Elizabeth,  married  Jonathan  Ciirter,  and  his  family  is  represented  by  Hiram  Anderson, 
now  or  late  of  New  York.  Mrs.  (,'arter  died  of  yellow  fever— the  first  'and,  it  is  said,  the 
only  case  of  that  disease  in  Newburgh. 

+  The  Lindermans  are  of  German  ancestry.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the 
town  of  Crawford,  and  the  family  is  still  numerous  in  this  county  and  in  Ulster. 

025 


38(j  HISTORY  OF  XEWBURGH. 

from  the  county  in  the  snjtport  of  the  (loor,  which  has  proved  his  assiunjition  that  there- 
by the  poor  would  be  better  and  more  economically  provided  for.  The  erection  of  a  new 
county  with  Newhurgh  for  its  shire-town,  he  urajed  as  being  dictated  by  the  convenience 
of  the  jicople  interested  and  their  due  influence  in  the  government :  and  thougli  not  suc- 
cessful, the  seed  sown  has  a  tirm  rooting.  To  local  improvements  of  every  kind  he  waB  a 
liberal  contributor;  while  to  his  antiquarian  tastes  and  to  his  reverence  for  the  memory  of 
the  founders  of  the  nation,  the  public  are  mainly  indebted  for  the  valuable  collection  of 
manuscripts  and  other  relics  which  are  deposited  in  Washington's  Head-quarters,  as  well 
as  for  the  rescue  of  that  property  from  the  grasp  of  private  speculation  and  the  care  with 
which  the  mansion  has  been  preserved.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Mechanics' 
Library  Association,  and  gave  to  it  a  large  collection  of  minerals  ;  manifested  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  success  of  free  schools  and  a  free  library,  and  at  one  time  prepared  his  will 
for  the  endowment  of  a  school  of  design.  Indeed,  the  predominant  trait  in  his  disposition 
was  to  be  practically  useful ;  to  be  histrnmental  in  conferring  permanent  bcnetits  upon  the 
comnmnity,  and  especially  to  surround  the  young  with  incentives  to  lead  worthy  lives  and 
with  advantages  and  associations  of  which  his  own  exi>erience  had  taught  him  the  neces- 
sity. His  last  work  was  the  Cedar  Hill  Cemetery,  in  which  his  remains  were  the  first  to 
be  interred.    He  died  in  Newhurgh,  January  14, 1872,  after  an  illness  of  short  duration. 


JOSEPH    HOFFMAN. 

Joseph  Hoffiuau  was  born  in  New  York  about  1773. 
Altliougli  very  little  is  positively  known  in  reference  to 
to  the  subject,  it  is  believed  tliat  he  was  a  descendant  of 
one  of  the  early  Dutch  burghers  of  that  city,  but  it 
is  equally  probable  that  he  sprung  fi'om  one  of  the 
Palatine  iiumigi-ants  of  1710.*  He  came  to  Newbui'gh 
17i)8,  m  the  employ  of  Adolph  DeGrove;  but  subsequently,  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother,  John  Hoffman,  purchased  the  establishment 
fi-om  Mrs.  DeGrove,  and  continued  it  as  a  bakery  and  confectionery. 
He  remained  with  his  brother  until  1804:,  when  he  erected  a  building 
on  the  noiih-west  corner  of  Water  and  Second  streets,  and  began 
business  on  his  own  account,|  and  continiTed  it  untU  his  death. 

Mr.  Hoflhian  was  eminently  a  just  man.  He  was  educated  in  the 
Lutheran  faith,  and  was  attached  to  that  church  until  he  became  a 
resident  of  Newbvirgh.  As  there  was  no  organization  of  that  denomi- 
nation here,  however,  he  united  with  St.  George's  chiTrch,  at  the  time 
of  its  reiu-ganization  (1805),  and  held  an  active  and  mtiuential  mem- 
bei-ship  in  that  body  dtu'ing  the  remainder  of  his  hfe.  He  was  a 
quiet,  unassuming  man,  an  upright  citizen  and  a  sincere  christian. 

Mr.  Hoffinan  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  tnistees  of  the  village 
for  several  tenns,  and  was  also  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Glebe.  In 
these  and  in  several  less  important  public  trusts,  he  was  remarkable 
for  the  faithful  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  duties.  He  was  a 
man  of  good  common  sense,  had  a  thorough  appreciation  of  right, 


* ' 


The  Hoffmans  were  of  Swedish  origin.    In  the  time  of  Gustavus  Adoljihus,  thev  re- 
moved to  Germany  and  became  distinguished  in  Dutch  and  German  literature.     In  Scau- 
dmavian,  the  name  is  Hoppman    in  German,  Hoffman,  or  "  ('hild  of  Hope."— //o/(/rt/e. 
t  .\nte  p.  17-i,  198.    John  Hoffman  removed  to  the  province  of  New  Brunswick. 


JilOGRArmtAL  tiKETCllEti.  ;}87 


above  all  he  had  a  disposition  that  was  not  easily  ruffled.  These 
traits  in  his  character  exhibited  themselves  in  his  every  act,  and  won 
for  him  the  respect  of  all.  In  his  personal  api)earance  and  in  his 
habits,  especially  durin<]f  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  was  a  type  of 
the  ancient  Knickerbockers,  and  had  his  dress  been  less  modern  the 
resemljlance  would  have  been  (!omplete. 

Mr.  Hoffman  married  Maria,  dau<ifhter  of  Abraham  W.  Van  Deusen, 
of  New  York,  and  had:  1.  Eliza  Ann,  who  man-ied  Roberi  Reeve  and 
had  Fanny  M.,  Cathai-ine,  Adaline  H.,  Henrietta  H.,  Hoffman,  and 
Robert.  2.  Mai-y,  who  manied  Paddock  Chapman*  and  had  Mary 
E.,  married  William  H.  Gerard;  Joseph  H.  H.,  man-ied  Lydia  W. 
Sanxay;  Catharine  M. ;  Susan  A.,  mairied  Ithamar  D.  Phelps;  Debo- 
rah A.;  Thomas  P.,  married  Lydia  Crist;  Isaac  C,  married  Letitia 
Kennedy;  Charles  F.,  married  Agnes  Hamilton;  James  L.,  died  1840; 
William  G.,  married  Emeline  Welch;  Caroline  G.,  married  Heni'y 
Hunter;  and  Louisa.  3.  Catharine,  who  married  William  Scott,"f"  and 
had  Maria  J.,  married  Calvin  Sloat;  Harriet  L.;  Cornelia  E.;  Sarah  E., 
and  Anna,  married  Jas.  L.  Teller.  4.  Aliraham  V.  D.,  died  in  his  14th 
year.  5.  Susan,  died  younj^.  6.  HaiTiet  Amelia,  married  John  D. 
Phillips,  and  had  Maria  H.,  Joseph  H.,  John  D.,  Adaline,  Clark,  and 
Edmund.  7.  Adaline,  married  David  Howell,  died  without  issue. 
8.  Cornelia  E.,  married  Edmund  S.  Sanxay,  |  and  left  issue  Frederick 
D.,  Charles  D.,  and  Georj^e  W.  1).  Cecelia  A.,  man-ied  Nelson  Haif^ht 
and  had  Henry  M.,  Robert  W.,  Joseph  H.,  Abraham,  and  Charles  E. 
10.  Sarah  A.,  and  11.  Jane.  Mr.  Hoffman  died  Nov.  l(j,  1852,  ag'ed 
79  years,  and  his  wife,  Maria,  died  June  4,  18(59,  in  her  94th  year. 


THK  ROBERT  GARDINER  FAMILY. 

James  Gairdner,  the;  paternal  ancestor  of  this  family,  was  a  native  of 
Glaseow,  Scotland.  His  wdfe  was  a  Miss  M'Nair;  and  their  (children 
were:  1.  Robert;  2.  James;  8.  Mar<^aret;  4.  (Jecelia — of  whom 

Robert  Gardineu  (1)  \-\\v.  born  May  .31,  \HV.).  Hi;  emi-^ratiH]  to  America  in  178!)  or  '90, 
and  Hcttled  t(!ni])ornrih'  in  Duchess  county,  Init  soon  after  removed  to  Newburgli,  where 
he  was  first  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Mr.  Hugh  Walsh,  and  afterwards  with 
John  Anderson  and  John  McAuley.  To  conform  his  family  name  to  the  American  idiom, 
ho  transposed  the  letter  /,  jjlacing  it  after  the  letter  d,  rendering  it  Gardmer.  He  reiin- 
quifthed  the  occnipation  of  clerl;  in  1705.  and  opened,  on  the  south-west  comer  of  Water 
and  Fourth  Htreets,  a  general  Htore,  and  adjoining  it  (on  the  site  now  occupied  by  Chap- 
man's drug  store)  what  was  then  termed  a  "  Coftee  House  " — the  latter  the  first  estabhsh- 


*  Mr.  Chapman  was  a  descendant  of  Ralph  Chapman,  of  Southwark,  Eng.,  who  settled 
in  Duxbury,  Miss.,  in  1635.  He  was  l)orn  in  Soutlieast,  Putnam  county;  removed  to  New- 
burgh  about  1810;  married  Mary  Hoffman,  May  4,  1820;  died  April  2,  1865. 

t  William  Scott  married,  first,  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Spier,  who  left  issue  Francis 
Scott,  who  served  as  cashier  of  the  old  Bank  of  Newburgli,  treasurer  of  the  city,  etc. 

X  Edmund  S.  Sanxay  married,  first,  Eliza,  daughter  of  Mark  Mclntyre,  who  left  issue 
Edmund  S.  Sanxay.    ""     "  '  ""- 

who  " 
W.  (married  Joseph  H.  H.  Chapman.) 


miiiiiuuu  o.  oaiiAii_y    iiiaiiicu,  iii .-^t,  ju112.il,    uu/ii^uuur   ui    xuarK    luiuiliyre,   WHO    ieiL  ISBUe 

lund  S.  Sanxay.  Mr.  Sanxay  was  the  son  of  Edmund  and  Lydia  (Belknap)  Sanxay, 
1  left  issue  Charlotte  (married  a  Sandford),  Edmund  S.,  John  H.,  Stej)hen,  and  Lydia 
(married  Joseph  H.  H.  Chapman.) 


388  HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBGE. 


ment  of  the  kind  in  Newburgh— and  was  first  to  introduce  the  drinking  of  ale  beer.  His 
house  soon  became  a  favorite  resort;  and  his  pewter  jjint  cups,  with  their  ensrraved  wreath 
enclosing  the  initials,  "R.  G.."  were  a  pleasant  memory  to  many  old  citizens.  In  1802,  he 
became  a  citizen,  and  from  that  time  until  1812,  was  variously  engaged  as  a  school-master, 
captain  of  a  sloop,  painter,  and  merchant,  and  finally  established  a  confectionery  and  toy 
store.  In  1812,  he  was  ordered,  with  the  company  of  militia  of  which  he  Avas  first  lieuten- 
ant, to  Staten  Island,  where  he  remained  about  three  months.  Soon  after  his  return  the 
reign  of  shin-plasters  commenced,  and  "  among  the  many  individiials  and  corporations  by 
whom  they  were  issued,"  remarks  Mr.  Eager,  "none  had  a  greater  circulation  than  Robert 
Gardiner's  small  bills.  Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  extent  of  the  circulation  of  shin- 
plasters  at  that  time,  when  the  fact  is  stated,  that  the  average  weekly  amount  taken  in 
exchange  for  bank  bills  and  his  own,  together  with  what  he  received  in  the  course  of 
business,  amounted  to  no  less  than  $2,000."  * 

Mr.  Gardiner  married  first  (1791),  Jane,  daughter  of  Benj.  Smith,  and  had:  1.  James 
M.,  born  Oct.  24,  1792;  2.  Robert  S.,  died  young;  3.  Robert  S.,  born  October  29,  1795;  4. 
Cecelia  B.,  born  July  11, 1799.  Mrs.  Jane  Gardiner  died  in  1803,  and  he  married,  Feb.  19, 
1804,  Sybil  Burr,  and  had:  5.  Jefiferson  V.  V.;  6.  Arabella  J.  G.  V.  V.;  7.  Cicero  A.,  died 
Feb.  24, 1875;  8.  Demosthenes  C;  9.  Iduella  T.  R.;  10.  Lawrence  L.;  11.  Marion  A.;  12. 
Zehma;  13.  Franklin  M. ;  14.  Lewis  W.,  married  Frances  Emily  Ferry;  15.  Baron  Steuben; 
16.  Anastesia  M.,  married  Lewis  H.  Stansbrough.  He  died  March  3, 1831,  on  a  small  farm; 
which  he  had  named  Mount  Airy,  situate  a  short  distance  west  of  Newburgh.  His  wife, 
Sybil,  died  in  1854. 

Jasies  M'Nair  Gardiner  (11,  the  oldest  son 
of  Robert  and  Jane  Gardiner,  received  his  early 
education  in  Newburgh.  At  the  age  of  16  years, 
he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr. 
Gidney;  and  was  subsequently  a  private  pupil  to 
Doct.  Mott,  of  New  York,  for  eighteen  months. 
He  commenced  practice  in  1813,  and  his  services 
were  in  constant  requisition  from  that  time  until 
Oct.  1st,  1857,  Avhen  he  was  confined  to  his  resi- 
dence by  a  chronic  illness  which  terminated  his 
life  (Dec.  8th)  the  following  year.  In  conversa- 
tion with  him  a  short  time  prior  to  his  death,  lie 
informed  the  writer  that,  before  he  liad  been  a 
pupil  for  one  year,  so  great  was  the  demand  for 
the  services  of  a  physician,  that  he  was  thrust  forward  by  his  instructor  into  practice;  and 
that,  before  he  was  17  years  of  age,  he  had  attended  with  success  several  difficult  cases  of 
child-birth.  "  May  God  forgive  me  for  any  errors  in  practice  that  I  may  have  committed 
then,"  said  he,  "  but  I  done  the  best  for  sutfering  humanity  that  I  could.  And  since  that 
time,  how  many  of  the  tu'st  accents  of  the  living,  and  the  farewells  of  the  dying,  have 
fallen  upon  my  ear.  I  have  seen  suffering  in  all  its  forms;  have  had,  what  few  physicians 
can  claim,  two  cases  of  triplets— one  all  boys,  and  the  other  all  girls— pass  through  my 
hands  into  this  breathing  world;  and,  as  a  general  rule,  I  may  claim,— and  I  am  too  near 
my  grave  to  be  accused  of  boasting,— a  most  successful  practice.'' 

The  concurrent  testimony  of  the  community  in  whicli  Doct.  Gardiner  practiced  for 
nearly  half  a  century,  establishes  beyond  question  his  thorough  acquaintance  -with  disease 
in  all  its  forms;  and  the  demand  for  his  services,  at  all  times  as  great  as  he  could  respond 
to,  attests  his  skill.  In  his  intercourse  with  society,  or  with  his  patients,  he  was  always 
pleasant  and  agreeable;  and  many  instances  are  related  v/here  the  sick  forgot  their  pains, 
and  rallied  into  new  life,  as  he  imparted  cheerfuhiess  to  the  chamber  of  suflfering  by  his 
queer  stories,  which  few  knew  better  how  to  relate.  He  was  a. man  of  good  Hteraiy  taste 
and  cultivation;  was  familiar  with  most  of  the  standard  writers  of  Great  Britain,  as  well 

*  The  issue  of  small  bills,  referred  to  by  Mr.  Eager,  was  occasioned  by  the  scarcity  of 
specie  which  was  drawn  from  circulation  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  army.  The 
Board  ot  Trustees  of  the  village  printed  and  circulated  several  reams  of  this  currency, 
ranging  from  64  to  50  cents,  which  was  redeemed  at  the  Bank  of  Newburgh. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  339 


as  his  own  country;  quoted  with  facility  from  Shakspeare  and  Scott;  and  was  a  frequent 
contributor  to  the  literary  associations  of  which  he  was  a  member,  and  to  the  public  press. 
He  married,  first,  Maria,  daughter  of  Josiah  Vail,  of  Wallkill,  and  bad :  1.  Eobert  W.;  2. 
Lucy  Ann  Cornelia,  married  Dr.  Daniel  Wells,  of  New  York.  Mrs.  Maria  Gardiner  died  in 
1824,  and  ho  married,  second,  CaroUne  H.,  daughter  of  David  Havens,  of  Cornwall,  and 
had:  3.  Maria  A.,  married  Charles  Smith,  of  Newburgh,  died  May  2,  1855;  4.  James  H., 
died  young;  5.  Walter  S.;  6.  Carohne  H.;  7.  James  H.,  died  young;  8.  Emma  Jane,  mar- 
ried Charles  Stewart,  of  Newburgb;  9.  James  M.;  10.  Henry  C.  James  M.  (9),  an  ama- 
ture  astronomer,  was  the  discoverer  of  what  is  known  as  Gardiner's  Comet.  <- 


THE   JOHN    BROWN    FAMILY. 

John  Brown  was  a  native  of  Monagiian,  Ireland,  where  he  conduct- 
ed business  as  a  dealer  in  hardware  and  books  and  stationery ;  he  also 
had  printing  in  connection  with  his  establishment.  In  the  events  pre- 
ceding the  Irish  EebeUion  of  1798,  he  expressed  his  sympathies  with 
the  reforms  demanded,  and  as  freedom  of  opinion  was  not  tolerated 
by  the  English,  he  soon  found  the  officers  of  the  government  on  his 
track.  Knowing  his  fate  if  arrested,  he  slipped  a  roU  of  guineas  in 
his  pocket  and  secured  a  passage  in  a  vessel  on  the  eve  of  sailing  for 
New  York.  His  wife  and  family  remained  in  Ireland,  closed  up  his 
business  there,  and  followed  him  to  America  in  1800. 

Mr.  Brown  came  to  Newburgh  almost  immediately  after  his  arrival 
in  this  country;  and,  with  the  assistance  sent  on  by  his  wife,  opened 
what  he  called  an  "Universal  Store."  *  It  was  the  first  store  of  the 
kind  in  Newbui-gh,  and  he  enjoyed  a  large  trade.  He  subsequently 
erected  the  building  now  No.  69  Water  stieet;  sold  his  books  and 
confined  his  attention  mainly  to  hardware,  in  which  his  sons,  John 
and  James  S.,  were  his  successors.  He  died  Oct.  1,  1825,  in  his  67th 
year.f  His  wife  was  Alice  Chichester,  a  lady  of  Scotch  parentage; 
she  died  Sept.  14,  1829.     Their  childi-en  were: 

1.  Chichester,  born  Jan.  20,  1783,  died  August  8,  1849;  married 
Catharine,  daughter  of  Doct.  Graham,  of  Shawangunk,  and  had:  1. 
John  James,  married  Mary  R.  Van  Arsdale,  who  died  March  5,  1 855, 
leaving  one  son,  Chichester;  2.  George,  died  in  1870;  married  Jeanet, 
daughter  of  George  Bruce,  of  New  York,  and  had  Bmce  B. 

2.  John,  manied  Eliza  Case,  of  Goshen;  died  in  1852  without  issue. 

3.  James  S.,  married,  first,  Sarah  Haines;  had  Hannah,  Jane,  Ann 

*  The  character  of*  the  business  which  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Brown  will  be  better  un- 
derstood by  stating,  that  he  kept  for  sale  "Hardware,  Jewelry,  Iron-mongery,  Nails, 
Hollow-ware,  Lookmg-Glasses,  Window  Glass,  Paints  and  Oil,  China,  Glass,  Delft,  Bristol 
and  Stone-ware,  Bil)les,  School  Books,  Novels,  Histories,  Dr.  Owen's  Prophetical  Sermon, 
Groceries,  Wines,  Brandy,  Gin,  and  Spirits." 

.  t  The  Gazette,  of  concurrent  date,  remarks  :  "The  death  of  Mr.  Brown  will  be  sensibly 
felt  by  the  community,  of  which  he  was  an  honorable  and  esteemed  member;  and  the 
church  to  which  he  was  attached  has  suffered  a  loss  which  will  long  be  remembered  with 
painful  emotions.  Possessed  of  ample  means  and  a  heart  always  open  to  the  caUs  of 
charity,  he  was  a  father  to  the  fatherless ;  and  the  afilicted  never  called  on  him  m  vain. 
His  grave  will  be  watered  with  the  tears  of  gratitude,  and  his  memory  will  be  cherished 
with  respect  for  his  virtues,  and  affection  for  his  benevolence." 


:590 


HIS  roil  Y  OF  NE  WB  UR  G  H. 


Eliza,  Sarah,  John  C,  Aehsah,  and  Isabella.  His  second  wife,  a 
daughter  of  Washington  Wood,  was  without  issue. 

4.  Isabella,  married  Eobei-t  Wilson;  died  in  1821. 

5.  Anna  Jane,  married  John  Forsyth;  died  in  1852. 

6.  Edward,  died  in  1820. 

Chichesteb  Brown  (1)  received  a  liberal  education,  and  entered  active  life  as  a  teacher 
(if  Latin  and  Greek  in  the  Newburgh  Academy ;  he  subsequently  stood  at  the  head  of  a 
large  classical  school  in  Albany.  The  profession  of  teaching,  however,  he  soon  relinquished 
for  that  of  i)hysician,  and  commenced  his  studies  under  Doct.  Graham,  of  Shawangunk, 
(grandfather  of  Hon.  James  G.  Graham,)  an  eminent  physician  and  surgeon.  In  1808  or 
"J,  he  entered  practice  in  the  western  part  of  the  town  of  Newburgh ;  and  in  1812  or 
'13,  removed  to  the  village,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  He  was  one  of 
the  most  devoted  physicians  that  ever  practiced  in  Newburgh.  No  hardship  was  too  great 
for  him  to  encounter,  and  the  voice  of  sufl'ering  always  found  him  ready  at  its  call.  Espe- 
cially was  he  kind  and  attentive  to  the  poor.  The  wealthy  he  knew  could  command  attend- 
ance and  comfort,  and  that  tho  poor  were  too  frequently  permitted  to  suffer  and  die  with- 
out a  thought  for  their  condition.  This  evil  he  labored  to  correct;  and  in  his  mission  of 
good  never  paused  to  inquire  into  the  pecuniary  circumstances  of  his  patient.  He  fell  a 
martyr  to  this  noble  trait  in  his  character — contracted  disease  in  the  humble  cabin  of  the 
inunigrant,  and  after  a  short  illness,  rested  from  his  labors.    If  it  be  true  that 

"  All  our  actions  take 

Their  hues  from  the  complexion  of  the  heart, " 

then  is  his  memory  justly  cherished.  He  was,  in  some  respects,  what  would  be  called 
eccentric  ;  but  his  face  half  shrouded  in  green  spectacles,  a  tan,  an  umbrella,  and  a  cane, 
his  usual  costume  in  the  street ;  and  the  silver  drinking  cup  which  he  carried  in  his  pocket, 
lest  through  its  absence  at  any  time  he  should  take  more  of  refreshing  beverages  than  would 
be  conducive  to  his  good,  are  all  pleasant  pictures  in  the  history  of  his  useful  life.  His 
son,  George,  was  a  practicing  physician  and  had  many  of  his  father's  traits  of  character. 
His  son,  John  James,  was  for  many  years  principal  of  the  Newburgh  Institute. 


PHINEAS   BOWMAN. 

Among  the  lawyers  who  took  up  their  resi- 
dence in  Newburgh  at  an  early  period,  was 
Phineas  Bowman.  He  liad  served  in  a  Mas- 
sachusetts regiment  in  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution, and  attained  the  rank  of  captain,  but 
was  usually  addressed  by  the  title  of  colonel. 
He  came  here  with  the  anny,  and  either  re- 
mained here  after  its  disbandment,  as  was  the 
case  with  several  of  his  contemporaries  in  the 
service,  or  returned  here  not  long  subsequent 
to  that  event.  He  was  a  man  of  good  legal  attainments;  was  admit- 
ted to  practice  in  the  courts  of  Ulster  county  in  1790;  rose  rapidly  in 
his  profession,  and  rendered  his  constituents  valuable  sei-vice,  as  a 
member  of  the  legislature  in  1798,  by  secm-ing  a  law  erecting  the  pres- 
ent county  of  Orange.  During  the  last  few  years  of  his  life,  however, 
he  lost  his  character  and  his  foi-tune  by  habits  of  intemperance;  and 
his  memory  is  now  preserved  only  through  the  medium  of  anecdotes, 
some  of  them  of  doubtful  authenticity,  arising  from  occurrences  in 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


391 


which  he  is  said  to  have  been  a  principal  participant,  but  which  are 
also  claimed  as  incidents  in  the  life  of  Judge  Baker.  He  owned  the 
property  subsequently  purchased  by  the  late  WUliam  Roe,  on  Mont- 
gomeiy  street.  His  residence,  however,  was  taken  down  by  Mr.  Roe, 
and  removed  to  the  south-west  corner  of  Montgomery  and  Third 
streets.  He  left  one  daughter,  Mary,  who  married  Benj.  Anderson,  a 
student  in  her  father's  office.  His  wife,  Mary,  died  March  22,  1813, 
universally  esteemed  by  all  who  enjoyed  her  acquaintance.* 


JONATHAN    FISK. 

Jonathan  Fisk,  the  most  distinguished  of  the  early  lawyers  of  New- 
burgh,  was  born  at  Amherst,  N.  H.,  Sept.  26,  1773.  He  was  the  son 
of  Jonathan  Fisk  who  subsequently  resided  at  Williamstown,  Vt.,  and 
became  a  member  of  the  legislatiu-e  of  that  state,  and  judge  of  pro- 
bate, as  well  as  the  founder  of  that  branch  of  the  family  of  which  the 
late  James  Fisk,  of  Erie  raih-oad  fame,  was  a  member.  Jonathan  Fisk, 
Seni'.,  was  the  son  of  Major-general  John  Fisk,  of  Salem;  who  was  the 
son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Fisk,  of  Salem;  who  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Moses 
Fisk,  of  Braintree;  who  was  the  youngest  son  of  Rev.  John  Fisk, 
who  came  to  Salem  in  1637,  settled  at  Wenham,  afterwards  removed 
to  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  and  died  in  his  charge  in  1676.f 

Jonathan  Fisk,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
left  the  home  of  Ms  father  at  the  age  of  19 
years,  and  commenced  the  occupation  of  school 
teacher,  qualified,  according  to  a  letter  of  rec- 
ommendation signed  by  Moses  Bradford,  Dec. 
12,  1792,  to  teach  "  writing,  English  grammar, 
and  arithmetic.''  We  next  find  him  at  Ware, 
N.  H.,  in  1795,  with  a  certificate,  stating  that 
he  had  lived  for  several  months  in  the  family' 
of  Amos  Wood,  of  that  place,  where  he  had 
"read  Greek  and  Latin,  and  attended  to  other 
branches  of  study,  by  which  he  appeared  well- 
qualified  to  teaeli  a  school;"  and  that  he 
"maintained  a  good  moral  character."  In 
1796  or  '97,  he  entered  the  office  of  Peter 
Hawes,  in  Now  York,  and  commenced  the 
study  of  law.  He  was  without  other  means 
of  sui)port  than  such  as  his  own  industry  could 
furnish,  but  he  was  enabled  to  complete  his 
studies  by  occasional  remuneration  for  services  as  an  anuimiensis,  and  by  giving  instruc- 
tion to  a  class  of  young  men  in  the  evening.  In  1790,  he  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the 
court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Westchester  county;  in  1800,  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
state,  and  during  the  same  year,  in  the  courts  of  Common  Pleas  of  the  counties  of  Orange 
and  Ulster.  In  1802,  he  was  examined  by  Chief  Justice  Morgan  Lewis,  and  "  regularly 
admitted  as  a  Counsellor  of  Law,  in  all  the  courts  of  the  State  of  Nev/  York."    Mr.  Fisk 


*  Ante  p.  180,  384.  The  engraving  given  in  connection  with  this  sketch  is  from  a  profile 
likeness  taken  in  1798,  while  Mr.  Bowman  was  a  member  of  the  legislature. 

t  This  genealogical  statement  is  from  a  memorandum  found  among  Mr.  Fisk's  papers 

The  family  is  presumed  to  have  descended  from  Eobert  and  Sybil  Fiske  of  Suffolk  co.,  Eug. 


392  HISTORY  OF  NEW  BURGH. 

removed  to  Newburgli,  Feb.  4,  1800.  In  1809,  he  was  elected  representative  in  Congress 
Ironi  the  Vlth  District,  which  was  composed  of  the  counties  of  Orange  and  Westchester; 
and  again  in  1814.*  Parties  were  tlien  known  by  the  titles  of  democrats  and  federalists. 
Mr.  Fisk  was  a  democrat  and  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  administrations  of  Jefferson  and 
of  Madison.  While  in  Congress,  he  sustained  the  war  of  1812;  opposed  the  recharter  of 
the  Bank  of  the  United  States;!  proposed  a  plan  for  a  national  printing  oflice,  and  during  his 
whole  career  he  commanded  the  confidence  of  his  friends  and  the  respect  of  his  opponents. 

In  1815  (March  21),  he  was  appointed  by  President  Madison,  attorney  for  the  United 
States  in  and  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York,  and  this  appointment  was  renewed 
Jan.  fi,  181().  Here  he  was  very  dilhgent  and  efiicient  in  prosecuting  those  who  evaded  the 
law  in  regard  to  the  sale  of  foreign  merchandise  without  a  license,  and  so  exasperated  did 
this  class  of  offenders  become  that  they  threatened  him  with  personal  punishment.  Fail- 
ing to  intimidate  him,  they  appealed  to  congress  on  a  question  of  fees,  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  his  removal  from  oflice.  The  subject  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Ju- 
diciary, who  reported  that  while  Mr.  Fisk's  fees  had  been  large,  and  in  some  instances  un- 
sustained  by  law,  he  had  nevertheless  been  governed  by  the  usage  of  the  former  incum- 
bents of  the  office;  and  the  subject  died  "  on  the  table."  He  remained  undisturbed  until 
the  expiration  of  Madison's  administration,  in  1820,  when  his  successor  was  appointed. 

As  a  citizen,  Mr.  Fisk  was  highly  esteemed.  The  town  records',  the  tiles  of  our  public 
journals,  and  his  own  manuscripts,  bear  testimony'  to  the  commanding  position  which  he 
occupied,  and  to  the  superiority  of  his  abilities.  The  most  important  legal  casus  were 
submitted  to  his  care;  while  on  the  various  local  questions  of  the  times,  his  views  received 
the  highest  consideration.  In  1803  or  '4,  he  married  Sarah  Van  Kleeck,  of  Poughkeepsio, 
and  soon  afterwards  erected  the  mansion  recently  occupied  by  llharles  Halstead,  Senr., 
deceased,  in  Colden  street,  where  he  resided  until  his  ajipointment  as  District  Attorney, 
when  he  removed  to  New  York.  At  the  expiration  of  his  otKcial  term,  he  returned  to 
Newburgh,  and  purchased  the  farm  lately  owned  and  occupied  by  Lyude  Belknap,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death. 

In  person,  Mr.  Fisk  was  large  and  of  a  presence  that  impressed  all  with  whom  he  had 
intercourse  with  a  sense  of  his  superiority — 

"A  combination,  and  a  form  indeed, 
Where  every  God  did  seem  to  set  his  seal, 
To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man !" 

His  wife  was  a  lady  of  more  than  ordinary  personal  attractions,  Hvely,  witty,  and  not  with- 
out fair  hterary  abiUties.  His  family  record  is  as  follows:  Jonathan  Fisk,  born  Sept.  26, 
1773;  died  July  13,  1832.  Sarah  Van  Kleeck,  wife  of  Jonathan  Fisk,  born  March  18,  1773; 
died  June  0,  1832.  Children:  Theodore  S.,  found  dead  in  the  street  in  New  York  in  1854 
or  '55;  James  L.,  died  at  Pensacola  in  1835;  Delaphine  R.  E.,  married  J.  C.  Bisbee,  died  July 
22,  1846;  Mary  M.,  died  June  8,  1822;  and  an  infant  son  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  months. 


JONAS    STOKEY. 

Jonas  Storey  was  born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  July  11th  1778.  He 
early  manifested  a  strong  desire  for  the  legal  profession,  and  notwith- 
standing the  opposition  of  his  father,  was  enabled  by  his  own  exer- 
tions to  enter  William's  college,  where  he  graduated  with  honor. 
While  reading  law  he  was  at  the  same  time  an  instructor  in  the 
Poughkeepsie  Academy.     He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1802,  soon 


*  Mr.  Fisk's  opponent,  in  1808,  was  R.  Hattield.  The  vote  in  Newburgh  was:  Fisk,  298; 
Hatheld,  27;  and  in  the  county,  he  had  483  majority.  In  1814,  the  vote  in  Newburgn  stood: 
Fisk,  324;  Storey,  97.     In  the  county,  i'isk  received  2345  votes,  and  Storey  660. 

t  It  sliould,  perhaps,  be  stated,  that  Mr.  Fisk  opposed  the  recharter  of  the  bank  in  the 
funu  which  the  bill  prescribed.  His  speech  on  this  subject  was  deUvered  Jan.  18,  1811, 
and  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  eccentric  John  Randolph,  who  replied  to  it  in  his  usual 
sarcastic  manner.  Fisk  rejoined  and  handled  his  opponent  with  such  force  that  he  won 
from  him  a  tribute  of  respect  and  secured  his  friendship. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  393 


after  he  removed  to  Newburo'h,  where  he  maintained  for  forty  years 
a  distinguished  place  among  the  members  of  his  profession. 

Mr.  Storey  was  one  of  those  old  fashioned  jurists  who  regarded  law 
as  a  science ;  he  was  ever  searching  for  its  piinciples,  but  he  was  none 
the  less  skiUfvd  in  their  practical  application.  "With  the  best  of  the 
old  English  classics  he  was  familiar.  He  was  also  exceedingly  fond  of 
metaphysical  studies,  and  this  tendency  of  his  mind,  perhaps,  led  him 
to  si:)end  too  much  time  speculating  about  the  more  abstruse  points  of 
Christian  doctrine.  So  extended  were  his  studies  in  this  dii-ection 
that  he  might  be  properly  called  a  theologian  as  well  as  a  lawyer.  He 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  discussions  on  the  subject  of  religion, 
which  prevailed  here  at  the  commencement  of  the  present  century. 
He  had  probably  heard  more  sermons  preached  than  any  other  man 
of  his  age  in  the  village ;  and  he  retained  for  years  the  outline  of  any 
that  had  pariicularly  interested  him. 

Mr.  Storey  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  several  years, 
and  his  prompt  and  even  handed  administration  of  the  law  made  his 
court  a  terror  to  evil  doers.  He  was  a  candid  man,  and  sometimes 
gave  utterances  to  his  thoughts  with  a  freedom  which  bordered  upon 
bluntness;  but  beneath  tliis  manner  there  was  a  heari  full  of  kindly 
sympathies.  He  retii-ed  from  the  active  duties  of  his  profession  a  few 
years  previous  to  his  death,  but  the  change  was  disastrous;  his  miiid, 
released  fi-om  its  long  roiitine  of  toil,  appeared  to  turn  inward  upon 
itself,  and  reason  forsook  its  throne.  He  died  Sept.  22,  1848,  in  the 
77th  year  of  his  age. 

Mr.  Storey  marned  (Oct  18,  1804),  Mary,  daughter  of  Isaac  Schultz, 
of  New  Windsor,  and  had:  1.  Henry  E.,  who  married  Rebecca  Cook, 
is  now  deceased;  2.  Edwin, who  married  Abbey  Basset  Clark,  is  now 
deceased;  3.  Helen  E.,  who  married  Orville  M.  Smith,  is  now  deceas- 
ed; 4.  Mary  B.,  who  man-ied  Daniel  Smith;  5.  Nathan  S.,  who  mar- 
ried Harriet  Smith,  is  now  deceased. 


THE    SCHULTZ    FAMILY. 

Christian  Otto  Schultz  was  born  Jan.  22d,  1712,  at  Bredenfelt,  in 
the  dukedom  of  Mecklenburgh,  Oermany;  and  his  wife,  Margaret 
Sharpenstien,  was  born  in  April,  1713,  at  Sagendorp,  Germany.  They 
emigrated  to  America  in  1735;  settled  at  Fishkill,  Duchess  county, 
and  had:  Anna,  x4.braham,  Isaac,  Christopher,  Margaret,*  Christian, 
Frederick,  Peter,  WiUiam,  Jacob,  and  John.  These  children  were  the 
founders  of  the  different  families  of  the  name  in  Duchess  and  Orange 
counties.     Those  in  Orange  county  are  the  descendants  of  Isaac,  born 

*  Margiiiet  married  Kichard  Schell,  and  was  the  grandmother  of  the  present  Augustus 
and  Kicliaid  Schell  of  New  York. 


394  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

July  28,  1740,  and  of  his  wife,  Maiy  Kilborne,  whom  he  married  in 
1765.  He  followed  the  occupation  of  school-teacher  for  some  years; 
subsequently,  having  saved  a  small  sum  of  money,  he  opened  a  store 
in  New  Windsor,  and  soon  became  comj)aratively  wealthy.  He  after- 
wards established  what  was  long  known  as  Schultz's  mill,  near  the 
mouth  of  Quassaick  creek.  He  died  May  25th,  1802,  fi-om  injui-ies  re- 
ceived in  falling  through  a  trap-door  in  his  mill.  His  wife  died  June 
9tli,  1811.  His  childi-en  were:  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Abraham,  Peggy, 
Jacob,  Susanna,  Joanna,  Mary,  Deborah,  Abigail,  and  Isaac.  Abra- 
ham succeeded  his  father  in  the  store  at  New  Windsor,  and  carried  on 
the  forwarding  business.*  Isaac  became  heir  to  the  mill.  Mary  mar- 
ried Jonas  Storey  of  Newburgh. 

Jacob  Schultz,  the  second  son  of  Isaac  (1),  was  born  April  23,  1776,  and  married,  Feb. 
14, 1799,  Anna,  daughter  of  Jolin  Denniston,  of  New  Windsor.  His  first  appearance  in 
business  was  as  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  New  Wiiulsor  Gazette,  the  pubUcation 
and  character  of  Avhich  has  been  noticed  in  previous  pages.  In  1810,  he  opened  a  dry 
goods  and  grocery  store  in  Newburgh,  in  company  with  Andrew  DeWitt,  and  was  engaged 
in  this  trade  until  1814,  when  he  purchased  from  his  brother,  Isaac,  the  old  mill  of  his 
father ;  but  afterwards  sold  it  to  Peter  Towusend,  came  back  to  Newburgh  and  entered 
business  in  company  with  George  Betts.  He  retired,  in  1818,  to  a  small  farm  in  the  town 
of  New  Windsor,  erected  a  substantial  stone  house,  and  in  the  quiet  independence  of  agri- 
cultural pursuits  spent  the  remainder  of  his  Hfe.  He  died  in  1859.  His  children  were : 
1.  John  D.,  married  Sophia  Marsh,  of  New  York,  and  had  fifteen  children  ;  2.  Fanny  W., 
married  John  Latham  ;  3.  Mary  Ann,  married  Thos.  J.  Fulton,  of  New  Windsor;  4.  Cath- 
arine M.;  5.  Jacob  K.,  married  Helen  J.  Howser. 


JOHN    FORSYTH. 

Jolm  Forsyth  was  born  near  the  city  of  Aberdeen  in  Scotland,  in 
1786  or  '87.  His  parents  were  in  comfoi-table  circumstances,  but  the 
death  of  his  father  in  the  meridian  of  life,  and  the  subsequent  mis- 
conduct of  some  persons  with  whom  he  had  been  associated  in  busi- 
ness, left  his  widowed  mother  with  a  family  of  young  childi-en,  for  a 
time  in  a  straighttned  condition.  Her  son  was  sent  to  the  grammar 
school  of  Aberdeen,  where  he  had  for  a  school-mate  the  famous  Lord 
Byron,  but  from  the  cause  before  mentioned  he  was  deprived  of  these 
educational  advantages  sooner  than  he  otherwise  would  have  been. 

Mr.  Forsyth  (;ame  to  this  country  in  1805,  intending  to  proceed  to 
North  Carolina  or  Georgia,  in  both  of  which  states  some  branches  of 
his  father's  family  were  settled.  But  by  the  advice  of  Prof.  Kemp,  of 
Columbia  College,  to  whom  he  had  a  letter  of  introduction,  and  Mr. 
Eobert  Gosman,  he  was  induced  to  remain  in  the  north.  He  came  to 
Newburgh  in  1810,  simply  to  visit  the  Rev.  Mr.  Scrimgeom-,  pastor  of 
the  Associate  Reformed  church,  and  an  old  friend  of  his  mother,  but 


*  Abraham  Schultz  married  Sarah  Smith  Howell,  of  Blagg's  Clove,  and  had  ten  children 

SIX  of  whom  died  young.     Those  surviving  were :  1.  Abraham  H.,  a  physician  in  Florida, 

Orange  county ;  2.  Fanny  H.,  married  William  S.  Woodhull;  3.  Joanna,  married  Doctor 

.  xT*^"  ,I?^'J  '•  •*•  '^^^y  ^•'  married  Isaac  S.  White,  son  of  Judge  Nathan  White.     He  died 

at  New  Windsor,  Mav  18,  1830. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  395 


mth  no  intention  of  remaining  here.  Here,  however,  he  was  induced 
to  settle,  and  here  he  spent  much  the  largest  portion  of  his  life.  He 
soon  found  employment,  and  until  1825  was  largely  engaged  in  busi- 
ness as  a  builder.  In  the  year  just  named  he  became  a  partner  in  the 
firm  of  Law,  Bevridge  &  Co. — afterwards  and  more  widely  known  as 
J.  Bevridge  &  Co. — in  which  he  continued  until  his  death  in  1854. 

Mr.  Forsyth  was  a  man  of  singiilarly  robust  frame,  and  for  many 
years  his  life  was  one  of  great  activity.  He  was  a  man  of  presence, — 
one  of  those  whose  face  and  form  would  arrest  the  attention  of  a 
stranger,  and  his  mental  and  moral  qualities  were  accordant  with  the 
impression  thus  made.  He  was  a  wise  counselor,  and  there  were  few 
men  whose  advice  was  more  sought  by  persons  of  all  classes;  and  none 
who  knew  him  could  doubt  his  unbending  rectitude,  his  large  heart- 
edness,  or  his  rare  sagacity.  He  was  for  years  a  director  in  the  Bank 
of  Ncwburgh,  and  a  trustee  of  the  Academy.  He  had  a  good  deal  to 
do  with  the  establishment  of  the  Newbtu'gh  Steam  MUls — of  which 
company  he  was  president — and  of  the  Branch  railroad.  Indeed  to 
every  public  improvement  he  was  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand. 

From  early  manhood,  Mr.  Forsyth  was  an  exemplary  christian,  and 
was  long  a  itding  elder  in  the  Associate  Reformed  church.  Cathohc 
in  spuit,  he  was  yet  warmly  attached  to  liis  own  denomination,  and 
was  widely  known  in  it  as  one  of  its  most  zealous  and  generous  mem- 
bers. He  was  twice  married,  viz:  1.  To  Jane,  oldest  daughter  of  John 
Cunie,  who  settled  in  Newburgh  in  1802;  2.  To  Anna  Jane,  youngest 
daughter  of  John  Brown.  His  children  (there  were  none  by  the 
second  marriage)  were:  1.  John,  2.  Robei-t  A.,  3.  James  C. 


THE    CRAWFORD    FAMILY. 

There  are  several  branches  of  the  Crawford  family  in  this  counti-y, 
all  of  Irish  origin,  and  all  more  or  less  remotely  connected.  The 
Newburgh  family  of  that  name,  are  the  descendants  of  James  Craw- 
ford, who  came  to  America  in  1718.  He  settled  at  Little  Britain,  in 
this  county,  soon  after  the  Clinton  immigrants  located  there.  His 
children  were :  David,  who  succeeded  to  the  homestead  farm,  and  had 
Francis,  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Newbui'gh;  Mary,  who  married 
John  Van  Arsdale;  Jane,  who  married  James  Denniston;  and  James, 
who  settled  in  what  is  now  the  town  of  Crawford.* 

Fkancis  Cka-wfobd,  oldest  son 
of  David,  remained  on  the  bonie- 
st ^     stead  at  Little  Britain  until  180G, 

>  /^^^    ^-f^  ^^"^^^^^  j^L  — '  ^^^^"   ^^^  removed  to  Newburgh 

^"^^^''^^^^^^^        ^    '^■-'  and  entered  into  the  mercantile 

Ar  and  freighting  business  \vith  John 

^  Harris.    He  retired  from  the  trade 

Biker's  Annals  of  Newtown,  307.    Eager's  Orange  County,  271,  332. 


396 


mSTORY  OF  NEW  BUB  GH. 


in  1810,  but  reentered  it  in  1817,  and  continued  in  it  until  his  death,  23d  of  April,  1829, 
in  the  67th  year  of  his  age.  "  Tliere  were  traits  in  his  character  well  deserving  notice 
and  imitation.  From  the;  uniform  tenor  of  his  conduct  through  life,  it  is  believed  that  he 
lived  and  died  without  a  single  personal  enemy.  Blessed  with  a  natural  temper  almost 
peculiar  to  himself — an  utter  stranger  to  petulance,  passion,  and  the  inordinate  love  of 
gain,  he  was  the  same  man  under  all  circumstances;  no  one  was  ever  wounded  by  his 
tongue,  or  made  the  victim  of  his  avarice.  He  received  the  bounties  of  Providence  as 
they  were  Vjestowed,  and  reaped  the  benefits  of  his  prudence  and  industry,  and  thereby 
secured  to  himself  and  to  his  associates  in  business,  the  universal  confidence  of  the  public, 
and  the  esteem  and  admiration  of  inniimerable  friends.  In  short,  he  Hved  as  a  man  should 
live,  in  relation  to  his  felluw-man;  and  he  died  as  a  man  should  die,  in  relation  to  his  God 
and  his  Redeemer. 

-"'Tis  only  noble  to  be  good; 


Kind  hearts  are  more  than  coronets, 
And  sim]3le  faith  than  Norman  blood.''* 

Francis  Crawford  was  thrice  married — first,  to  Eunice  Watkins,  by 
whom  he  had:  1.  Samuel;  2.  Thomas;  3.  David;  4.  James.  Mrs. 
Eunice  Crawford  died  in  1791,  in  her  28th  year.  Second,  to  Lydia, 
daughter  of  Jeduthan  Belknap,  Dec.  1,  1792.  Third,  to  Fanny  Den- 
uiston  (widow  of  Capt.  Isaacs),  born  Jan.  20,  1780,  died  Feb.  26, 
1829.  His  sons,  David  and  James,  came  to  Newburgh  with  him  in 
1806,  and  were  his  associates  in  his  business  until  1810.  James  after- 
wards opened  the  Mansion  House,  of  which  he  was  for  several  years 
the  proprietor.  He  married  Elizabeth  Munson,  who,  after  his  death 
married  John  Farnam.  David  continued  with  his  father,  and  at  his 
death  received  the  principal  portion  of  his  estate. 

David  Ceawfokd  was  born  at  Little  Britain, 
about  the  year  1788, — the  precise  date  cannot  now 
be  ascertained,  in  consequence  of  the  destruction 
of  the  family  records  by  fire.  He  received  such 
educational  advantages  as  the  country  schools  at 
that  time  afforded,  and,  in  1806,  entered  the  store 
of  his  father  as  clerk.  In  1810,  he  was  appointed 
deputy  sheriff  of  Orange  county,  and  discharged 
the  duties  of  that  office  for  about  one  year.  When 
the  war  of  1812  broke  out,  he  pi-omptly  responded 
to  the  call  of  congress  for  volunteers,  and  raised 
a  company  of  artillery,  of  which  he  was  elected 
captain,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  about  one 
year,  when  he  received  a  commission  in  the  army 
of  the  United  States,  and  remained  in  the  service 
until  the  close  of  the  war  in  1815.  He  reentered  the  mercantile  and  forwading  business 
with  his  father  in  1817,  and  prosecuted  it  until  1851.     He  died  July  23,  1856. 

As  a  citizen,  Mr.  Crawford  was  highly  esteemed,  and  for  several  years  held  positions  of 
honor  and  trust.  His  integrity  was  undoubted,  and  throughout  his  long  business  career 
his  reputation  was  unsullied.  Always  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  others,  there  are 
those  among  our  citizens  who  can  look  back  with  grateful  remembrance  to  the  kindly  aid 
which  he  rendered  to  them  when  assistance  was  needed.  In  his  business  and  social  inter- 
course he  was  especially  affable  and  agreeable  ;  the  sun-hght  of  a  perpetually  happy  dis- 
position appeared  to  be  his.  The  Yorick  of  a  thousand  jests,  his  genial  humor  was  irresis- 
tible, and  would  chase  the  clouds  away  from  the  grave.st  face.     He  was  mmsually  well- 

At  one  time  in  his  life  he  had  a  decided  passion  for  this 


informed  in  dramatic  literature. 


*  \ewburgh  Telegraph,  April  23,  1829. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


397 


kind  of  reading.  With  the  plays  of  Shakspeare  he  was  very  familiar,  and  could  recall 
their  scenes,  characters,  and  many  of  their  choice  passages,  at  will.  His  love  for  children 
was  another  characteristic  ;  he  deUghted  in  their  presence,  sympathized  in  their  amuse- 
ments, and  always  seemed  to  enter  into  the  spirit  of  their  frolics.  In  a  word,  he  was  a 
patriotic,  honest,  kind-hearted  gentleman,  and  an  excellent  citizen. 

David   Crawford  .married  Fanny  C,  daughter  of   Isaac  Belknap, 

May  15,  1822,  and  had:  1.  Isaac  B.  (died  young);  2.  Mary  EKzabeth, 

married  Sands  McCamly,  Aug.  6,  1844,  died  July  8,   1845,  leaving 

Mary  E.  C.  McCamly;  3.  James  Thomas  (died  young);  4.  Anna  (now 

deceased),  married  Richard  A.  South  wick,  Oct.  11,  1849,  had  Fanny 

C,  Anna  C,  and  Florence. 


THE    MAILLER    FAMILY. 

John  Mailler,  or  Mailard,  the  ancestor  of  this  family,  emigrated 
frorn  Scotland  soon  after  the  Revolution;  he  resided  for  a  few  years 
in  New  York  and  in  Westchester  county,  and  then  settled  perma- 
nently in  the  town  of  Cornwall,  Orange  County.  His  children  were 
James,  George,  John,  William,  Bartholomew,  Jane,  Mary,  and  Sarah. 
Bartholomew  maiTied  JuHa,  daughter  of  Samuel  Ketcham,  of  Corn- 
wall, and  had  one  child,  William  Ketcham  Mailler. 

William  K.  Mailler  was  born  in  the  town 
of  Cornwall,  Aug.  17,  180.5.  At  the  age  of  18 
years,  he  came  to  Newburgh  and  entered  the 
service  of  Francis  Crawford  &  Co.  His  busi- 
ness habits  and  sound  judgment  soon  render- 
ed him  a  desirable  acquisition  to  the  firm  and, 
in  1827,  he  became  one  of  its  members  under 
the  title  of  F.  &  D.  Crawford  &  Co.  From 
that  time  until  1864,  he  remained  a  principal  in 
the  forwarding  trade,  ana  shared  largely  in  the 
fluctuations  to  which  it  was  subjected.  In  pri- 
vate as  well  as  in  public  life,  Mr.  Mailler  was 
^  plain  and  unassuming.  Liberal  in  his  chari- 
ties, kind  in  the  discharge  of  his  parental  du- 
ties, and  cheerful  in  the  social  circle,  he  left 
Ian  example  worthy  of  imitation.  He  died  in 
1 1864.  Mr.  Mailler  married  Hannah  P.,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  Oakley,  of  Coldenham,  June  1, 
1830,  and  had  twelve  children,  all  of  whom 
died  in  infancy  except  William  O.,  born  May  26,  1831,  married  (1859)  Antoinette  W.  Conk- 
ling  ;  Mary  Hannah,  born  Nov.  27,  1834,  married  Moses  Cook  Belknap,  June  16,  1857,  died 
May  31,  1858 ;  and  John  D.,  born  June  9,  1845. 


OAKLEY    FAMILY. 

Samuel  Oakley,  the  immediate  ancestor  of  the  Newburgh  family  of 
that  name,  was  a  native  of  Huntington,  L.  I.  He  removed  to  Orange 
county  about  178G,  and  settled  at  Goshen,  where  he  married  Abigail, 
daughter  of  Timothy  Wood;  and,  after  her  death,  Rebecca  Ralph. 
His  children  were:  1.  Timothy;  2.  Jacob;  3.   Richard;  4.  Moses;  5. 


398  HISTORY  OF  NEWBVRGIL 

Solomon;  6.  Aaron;  7.  Abigail;  8.  Keziah;  9.  Patience;  10.  Susanna; 
11.  Pliebe;  12.  Hannah;  13.  Jesse.  Jacob  (1)  married  Susanna, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Haines,  of  Montgomery,  and  settled  at  Colden- 
ham,  where  he  pursued  the  occupation  of  a  tanner  and  currier,  as  well 
as  that  of  farmer.  His  children  were:  1.  Jackson,  .who  married  Abigail 
Logan;  2.  Wilham  C,  who  married  Phebe  Carman;  3.  David  H.,  who 
man-ied  Phebe  Baxter;  4.  Abigail  W.,  who  mamed  John  McClelland; 
5.  Jacob,  who  married  Sarah  J.  Austin;  6.  Hannah  P.,  who  married 
William  K.  Mailler;  7.  Richard,  who  died  unmarried;  8.  Samuel,  who 
manied  Emily  Williams;  9.  Zophar;  10.  Susan,  who  married  John  Dales 
— of  whom  Jackson  (1)  was  for  several  years  of  the  firm  of  Oakley  & 
Davis  in  the  mercantile  and  forwarding  trade  at  the  foot  of  Fourth 
street.  Samuel  (8)  was  also  in  mercantile  business.  Through  its 
male  as  well  as  its  female  branches  the  family  has  had  honorable  rep- 
resentation in  the  history  of  Newburgh  for  nearly  half  a  century. 


THE    DOWNING    FAMILY. 

Samuel  Downing,  the  founder  of  the  Newbui'gh  family  of  that  name, 
was  of  English  ancestry.  He  was  born  in  the  year  1761;  learned  the 
trade  of  carriage-makei*,  and  removed  fi'om  Cambridge,  Mass.,  to  New- 
burgh, and  from  thence  to  Montgomery,  intending  to  pursue  his  avo- 
cation there.  Failing  in  securing  a  satisfactory  place  of  settlement  in 
Montgomeiy,  he  returned  to  Newburgh,  where  he  established,  on  the 
north-east  corner  of  Broad  and  Liberty  streets,  about  the  commence- 
ment of  the  present  century,  a  shop  for  the  manu^facture  of  wagons 
and  carriages.*  While  yet  in  the  early  stages  of  this  undertaking, 
failing  health  led  him  to  engage  in  the  more  healthful  business  of 
market  gardening  and  nursery,  which  he  planted  on  the  property  ad- 
joining his  shop.  As  early  as  1810,  he  offered  for  sale  trees  engrafted 
and  innoculated,  including  apples,  pears,  peaches,  apricots,  cherries, 
etc.  Although  not  the  first  to  engage  in  this  avocation  in  the  present 
county  of  Orange,|  he  was  the  first  to  conduct  it  so  successfully  as  to 
secure  its  continuance.  He  died  Nov.  1,  1822,  aged  61  years;  and  his 
wife,  Eunice,  died  October  29,  1838,  aged  65  years.  He  had  five  chil- 
dren, viz:  1.  EmUy,  born  Jan.  24,  1801,  maiTied  Sylvester  Ferry,  died 
March  11,  1864,  had  four  children — Frances  Emily  (mamed  Lewis 
W.  Gardiner),  George  J.,  John  Milton,  and  Edward;  2.  Charles,  born 
July  9,  1802,  married  Mary  Wait;  3.  George  W.,  born  Feb.  22,  1804, 

*  Ante  p.  209. 

t  John  Conkling  established  the  first  nurserv  of  record,  at  Bethlehem,  (Cornwall),  in 
1794.  It  was  afterwards  continued  by  Noah  Townsend  (1803).  The  following  advertise- 
ment of  the  former  is  from  the  C4oshen  Repository: 

"  John  Conkling,  four  miles  from  New  Windsor  landing,  on  the  Goshen  road,  has  several 
thousand  apple  trees  in  his  nursery  for  sale,  now  large  enough  for  planting.  *  *  Those 
who  wish  to  have  any  of  the  above  trees  may  inquire  for  David  Conkling,  who  will  give 
good  attendance.    Sept.  12, 1794." 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  399 


died  April  5,  1846,  married  Antoinette  Starr  and  had  three  children — 
Charles,  Oliver  StaiT,  and  Mary  M. ;  4.  Fanny,  died  in  infancy;  5. 
Andrew  J.,  born  Oct.  31,  1815,  married  Caroline  E.  DeWint,  June  7, 
1838,  died  without  issue  July  28,  1852. 

Charles  Downing  (2)  and  Andrew  J.  Downing  (5)  succeeded  their  father,  and  to  them 
more  than  to  any  other  persons  is  due  the  changing  and  renewing  of  the  whole  system  of 
fruits  not  only  in  this  part  of  the  country,  but  throughout  the  nation.  While  drawing  much 
of  his  practical  knowledge  from  his  brother,  Andrew  J.  Downing  may  be  regarded  as  the 
father  of  American  landscape  gardening.  His  first  hterary  work,  ' '  Landscape  Gardening," 
gave  him  rank  among  the  most  distinguished  writers  of  the  age,  and  in  his  subsequent 
"Cottage  Residences,"  "Architecture  of  Country  Homes,"  and  "Fruit  and  Fruit  Trees 
of  America,"  as  well  as  in  the  "  Horticulturist,"  of  which  he  was  the  editor,  he  secured  a 
reputation  which  was  not  confined  to  the  country  of  his  nativity.  "The  results  of  his 
toil,"  says  his  biographer,  "appear  in  the  forests  which  he  preserved  from  the  merciless 
axe — in  the  trees  which  he  described  and  made  contribute  more  abundantly  to  the  taste 
and  comfort  of  their  proprietors— in  the  avenues  which  he  adorned— in  the  lawns  and 
pleasure  grounds  which  he  laid  out  and  embellished,  and  in  numberless  buildings  which 
stand  as  monuments  to  his  architectural  skill."  No  more  fitting  memorial  of  his  life-work 
could  be  written  than  the  sentence  from  his  o^vn  pen  :  "  Angry  volumes  of  politics  have 
we  written  none,  but  only  peaceful  books,  humbly  aiming  to  weave  something  more  into 
the  fair  garland  of  the  beautiful  and  useful  that  encircles  this  excellent  old  Earth."  His 
useful  life  ended  in  the  burning  of  the  steamer  Henry  Clay  near  Yonkers,  July  28,  1852. 
Charles  Downing  continued  the  nursery  business  until  1856,  though  not  as  the  successor 
of  his  brother,  whose  nursery  passed  into  the  hands  of  Andrew  Saul.* 


THE    LUDLOW    FAMILY. 

The  record  of  the  Ludlow  family  of  Newburgh  dates  back  to  Wm. 
Ludlow,  a  gentleman  of  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Third  (1350).  After 
intermediate  descendants:  (2)  William  Ludlow;  (3)  George  Ludlow; 
(4)  Sir  Edmund  Ludlow;  (6)  Edmund  Ludlow,  the  regicide;  and 
from  the  latter  branch:  (7)  Gabriel  Ludlow;  (8)  Gabriel  Ludlow; 
(9)  Gabriel  Ludlow;  (10)  Gabriel  Ludlow;  (11)  Gabriel  Ludlow; 
(12)  Robert  Ludlow.  The  family  was  dispersed  under  the  reign  of 
Cromwell.  Edmund  Ludlow  was  active  in  effecting  the  overthi-ow  of 
the  first  Charles ;  was  one  of  the  judges  who  sentenced  that  sovereign 
to  death,f  and  acquired  high  renown  as  a  soldier  and  orator  in  the 
civil  stmggle  of  that  period.  He  opposed,  however,  the  aspirations 
of  CromweU  to  the  protectorate;  and  failing  in  this,  was  compelled 
to  submit  to  virtual  banishment,  and  took  up  his  residence  at  Vevay, 
in  Switzerland,  where  he  died  in  1693.  Gabriel  Ludlow,  his  son, 
arrived  in  New  York  in  1694,  and  married,  in  1697,  Sarah  Hanmer, 

*  After  retiring  from  the  nursery  business,  Charles  continued  the  investigation  of  fruits 
by  obtaining  trees  and  grafts  of  new  varieties,  to  prove  their  nomenclature,  quality,  etc., 
until  the  past  few  years,  when  he  sold  his  experimental  grounds,  but  still  continued  his 
interest  in  Pomology.  In  the  meantime  he  has  twice  revised  his  brother's  work  on  Fruit 
and  Fruit  Trees,  first  in  1867  and  again  in  1869.  Since  the  last  revision  he  has  added  two 
Appendixes,  containing  new  fruits,  corrections,  etc.,  making  the  whole  work  twice  the 
original  size. 

t  This  act  gained  for  the  judges  the  title  of  regicides.  After  the  restoration  of  Charles 
II,  several  of  these  judges  were  arrested  and  suffered  death,  while  others  fled  for  safety. 
Goffe,  Whaley,  and  Dixwell,  came  to  America  and  secreted  themselves  at  New  Haven,  Ct., 
where  they  subsequently  died. 


400 


HISTORY  OF  NEWBUBGH. 


daughter  of  the  first  Episcopal  clergyman  of  that  city,  and  a  lineal 
descendant  from  Sir  David  Hanmer,  one  of  the  justices  of  the  court 
of  the  king's  bench  in  the  reign  of  Edwa.rd  II.  Gabriel  Ludlow,  his 
son,  was  born  in  New  York  and  there  mamed  Elizabeth  Cromeline, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Cromeline,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Wawa- 
yanda  patent.     Their  son  was  Robert  Ludlow. 

RoBEHT  Ludlow  married  Elizabeth  Conkling.  He  removed  from  New  York  to  the  town 
of  Warwick,  on  the  Wawayanda  patent,  and  after  spending  a  few  j'ears  there,  became  a 
resident  of  Newburgh  in  1796.  It  was  his  intention  to  open  here  a  mercantile  business, 
and  for  that  purpose  erected  a  store  ;  but  before  his  plans  were  matured  he  fell  a  victim 
to  consumption  (Oct.  2, 1798,)  in  the  vigorous  years  of  manhood.  He  left  children  :  1. 
Charles,  2.  Robert  C,  3.  Augustus  C,  4.  Mary,  5.  Nancy,  6.  Betsey,  and  7.  Francis.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth,  married  second  Robert  W.  Jones,  and  had  one  son,  Lieut.  Robt.  W.  Jones 
of  the  U.  S.  navy-died  in  1857.    She  died  July  21, 1829. 

Charles  Ludlow  (1),  the  oldest  son  of  Robert  Ludlow,  was  enrolled  a  midshipman  of 
the  U.  S.  navy  in  May,  1795,  and  passed  through  the  different  grades  of  his  profession  with 
honor  until  he  attained  the  rank  of  captain,  when,  in  consequence  of  the  advancement  of 
an  officer  of  lower  grade  over  him.  he  resigned  his  comhiission  and  retired  to  private  life. 
He  married  (Aug.  5,  1811,)  Margaret  Thornton  Mackaness,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  New 
Windsor,  where  he  died  leaving  one  daughter,  now  Mrs.  Thos.  W.  Chrystie. 

Robert  C.  Ludlow  (2),  the  second  son,  was  born  in  Warwck  in  1787.  He  was  engaged 
for  some  years  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  New  York,  but  the  yellow  fever  robbed  him  of  his 
senior  partner,  and  the  house  was  broken  up.  The  country  was  engaged  at  that  time 
in  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain,  and  he  applied  for  and  obtained  the  post  of  purser 
in  the  navy.  It  was  his  good  fortune  to  be  associated  with  his  per^^onal  friend  Captain 
Bainbridge,  on  board  of  the  frigate  Constitution,  and  to  participate  in  the  brilliant  action, 
the  capture  of  the  British  frigate  Java.  He  remained  in  thc^  navy  until  his  death  in  1826. 
He  married  a  Miss  Wethered,  of  Sovith  Carolina,  and  had  William  B.,  Augustus,  Robert 
C,  and  Mary,  all  of  whom  are  now  dead  except  the  latter,  who  mr.rried  a  Carroll,  of  Balti- 
more, where  she  now  resides. 

Augustus  C.  Ludlow  (3),  the  third  son  of  Robert  Ludlow,  was  born  in  1792,  and 
entered  the  United  States  navy  in  1804,  as  midshipman,  under  the  immediate  guardian- 
ship of  his  senior  brother  Charles,  and  criiised  in  the  Mediterranean  for  three  years  on 
board  the  frigate  President,  under  command  of  Commodore  S.  Barron.  He  was  subse- 
quently transferred  to  the  Constitution,  where  he  was  raised  to  the  post  of  lieutenant. 
From  the  Constitution  he  was  transferred  to  the  Hornet;  and  from  the  latter  vessel  to  the 
Chesapeake,  where  he  was  raised  to  the  post  of  first  Heutenant  under  Captain  Lawrence. 
The  fate  of  the  Chesapeake  and  her  noble  captain,  was  the  fate  of  Lieut.  Ludlow.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  engagement  he  was  severely  wounded  and  carried  below;  but  scarcely 
had  he  been  removed  when  Lawrence  fell  mortally  wounded,  and  as  he  was  borne  to  the 
cabin,  Ludlow  heard  his  dying  command,  "  Don't  give  up  the  ship  !"  and  springing  from 
his  seat  with  his  wounds  half  dressed,  he  rushed  on  deck  and  plunged  into  the  thickest  of 
the  contlict.  The  struggle  was  desperate,  but  in  vain.  A  sabre  cut  from  one  of  his  foes 
laid  him  senseless;  and  the  "  stars  and  stripes  "  were  stricken  down  by  the  victors'  right. 
The  Chesapeake  was  taken  to  Halifax.  Here  the  remains  of  the  gallant  Lawrence  were 
buried  with  military  and  naval  honors.  The  twice- wounded  Ludlow,  after  being  trephined 
in  Halifax,  so  far  rallied  on  the  day  of  his  commander's  funeral,  that  no  solicitations 
could  detain  him  from  rendering  the  last  homage  to  his  friend,  and  he  followed  the  hearse 
—a  silent,  solitary  mourner.  The  effort  was  too  great,  and  on  his  return  to  his  room  he 
was  seized  with  a  delirious  fever  which  closed  his  mortal  career  on  the  1.3th  of  June,  1813, 
at  the  age  of  21  years.  On  learning  their  fate,  the  citizens  of  Salem,  Mass.,  forwarded  a 
flag  of  truce  to  Hahfax  and  procured  the  bodies  of  Lawrence  and  Ludlow,  and  tliey  were 
removt^d  to  that  place  and  from  thence  to  New  York  where  they  were  consigned  to  a  tomb 
in  Trinity  church.    At  the  request  of  the  citizens  of  Salem,  Hon.  Justice  Storey,  of  the 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  401 


Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  delivered  an  eloquent  eulogy  on  the  occasion.  Re- 
ferring to  Ludlow  he  said:  "He  was  indeed  worthy  of  the  confidence  and  friendship  of 
Lawrence.  His  soul  wus  formed  for  deeds  of  active  valor  and  martial  enterprise.  In  the 
mild  engagements  of  peace,  it  softened  into  the  most  attractive  suavity  of  manners,  and 
wore  the  most  benignant  form  of  honor.  In  the  tumults  of  war,  it  glowed  with  an  ambi- 
tion for  naval  excellence,  which  electrized  every  movement  and  awakened  the  whole  en- 
ergies of  his  genius." 

No  merit  is  claimed  for  the  Ludlows  from  their  long  Une  of  noble  ancestry  ;  but  Ameri- 
can history  bears  a  record  of  their  services  Avhich  admits  of  no  denial  of  their  title  to  the 
rank  of  noble  men. 

—Mary  (4),  daughter  of  Robert  Ludlow,  married  Thomas  Powell,  died  Nov.  28,  1867; 
Ann  D.,  (5),  married  Benjamin  Case;  Betsey  (6),  married  David  Humphreys,  died  Jan.  22, 
1835;  and  Frances  (7),  married  Rev.  John  Brown,  D.  D.,  of  St.  George's  church,  New- 
burgh,  died  April  18, 1872. 


THE   THOMAS   POWELL    FAMILY. 

This  family  descended  from  Thomas  Powell  of  Wales,  Eng.,  who 
was  one  of  the  purchasers  and  patentees  of  Huntington,  L.  I.,  in  1664. 
On  the  18th  August,  1695,  the  same  gentleman  purchased  from 
"Mawmee,  alias  Serewanus,  William  Chepy,  and  all  ye  rest  of  ye 
Indian  proprietors,"  for  and  in  consideration  of  £140,  the  tract  of 
land  whereon  the  village  of  Bethpage  is  now  situated.*  This  Thomas 
had  a  son  Thomas,,  who  was  probably  the  father  of  Henry  Powell 
(born  in  1741),  the  immediate  ancestor  of  the  Newbui-gh  branch  of 
the  family. 

Heney  Powell  inherited  a  large  portion  of  the  estate  acquired  by  his  father,  which 
he  enjoyed  until  the  British  forces  obtained  possession  of  Long  Island,  when  he  was  sub- 
jected to  the  tyranny  and  persecution  so  mercilessly  exercised  at  that  time  by  the  minions 
of  the  EngUsh  government.  At  the  commencement  of  the  struggle  for  Independence,  he 
took  an  active  part  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  and  was  soon  selected  as  a  victim  for  sac- 
rifice at  the  royal  altar.  Flattery,  promises,  and  threats,  were  successively  employed  to 
secure  his  influence  for  the  king;  and  when  these  failed,  his  estate  was  confiscated  and 
his  person  incarcerated  in  the  Jersey  prison  ship,  from  which  he  was  subsequently  removed 
to  the  old  Sugar  House.  The  suflferings  endured  by  the  patriots  who  were  confined  in 
those  prisons  will  never  be  fully  told.  Ten  thousand  persons  perished  within  their  walls 
by  starvation,  sickness  and  ill-treatment;  and  the  number  of  victims  would  have  been 
largely  increased,  had  not  the  hand  of  charity  supplied  their  wants.  Among  those  favored 
in  the  latter  respect  was  Mr.  Powell,  whose  release  or  exchange  was  subsequently  effected. 
He  returned  to  Long  Island,  stripped  of  all  earthly  wealth  except  an  unblemished  name, 
and  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  lease  of  part  of  Shelter  Island,  where  he  resumed  the  pur- 
suit of  agriculture.  Here  he  remained  until  1781,  when  he  gathered  together  the  fruits  of 
his  farm  and  started,  accompanied  by  his  son  James,  on  an  ordinary  sail-ferry-boat,  for 
the  New  York  market.  In  crossing  the  channel,  a  sudden  flaw  of  wind  cast  the  vessel  on 
her  beams  end,  sprinkling  the  waves  with  men  and  horses.  Mr.  Powell  succeeded  in 
mounting  one  of  his  horses  while  in  the  water,  and,  after  searching  in  vain  for  his  son, 
turned  his  steed  towards  the  shore,  but  was  arrested  in  his  progress  by  a  cry  for  help,  and 
turning  saw  his  boy  clinging  to  the  prostrate  sail  and  rapidly  floating  out  to  sea  with  the 
wreck;  and  in  the  effort  to  rescue  his  offspring,  ho  perished  with  him. 

Henry  Powell  married  (1762)  Mary  Keen,  a  lady  of  Irish  extrac- 

*  Gov.  Andros  issued  a  patent  to  Thomas  Powell,  and  others,  purchasers  of  Huntington, 
in  1664.  In  1685,  Gov.  Dongan  issued  another  patent  for  part  of  the  same  lands,  in  which 
Thomas  Powell,  Jr.,  is  named.  In  1695,  Thomas  Powell,  Jr.,  removed  to  and  was  one  of 
the  purchasers  of  Bethpage.— r/iompso?i's  L.  I.,  i,  467,  469,  506. 

026 


402  HISTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 


tion,  and  had:  1.  Freelove,  who  man-ied  Jacob  Parish  and  had  Henry, 

Mary,    James,    Nancy,    Daniel,    Tlionias,    Benjamin,    Elizabeth,    and 

Mai-tha;  2.  Jacob,  died  unman-ied;  3.  Thomas;  4.  James,   di-owned; 

5.  Martha,  married  Benj.  Townsend  and  had  Betsey,  Maiy,  Jacob,* 

Nancy,  and  Benjamin,;  6.  EHza,  who  married  Wilham  Seymour.f 

Jacob  (2)  and  Thomas  (^  Powell,  the  former  16  years  of  age  and  the  latter  12,  at  the 
tini(i  of  the  death  of  their  father,  were  alone  capable  of  making  any  exertionw  for  the  sup- 
port of  their  widowed  nK)ther  and  her  children,  and  nobly  did  they  struggle  for  the  accom- 
})lishment  of  this  duty.  With  that  energy  which  ever  after  distinguished  their  career,  they 
grap])le<l  manfully  with  adversity  and  triumphed.  Jacob  was  placed  at  the  head  of  his 
fiithers  farm,  and,  assisted  by  Thomas,  and  supjiorted  by  the  counsels  of  a  good  mother, 
he  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  comfortable  supjjort  for  the  family  iiiitil  the  expiration  of  the 
lease.  A  new  home  and  a  new  theatre  of  operations  now  became  necessary.  In  1788,  in 
company  with  theii'  mother,  they  removed  to  the  county  of  Orange,  and  settled  near 
Washingtouville,  where  their  industry  led  to  scmie  increase  of  property.  In  1791.  they 
removed  to  Marlborough,  Ulster  county,  where  they  opened  a  small  store,  and  erected 
lime  kilns,  and  were  again  successfully  employed.  In  the  spring  of  1798,  they  I'emoved  to 
New  York,  and  engaged  in  n>ercantile  business,  but.  being  driven  away  by  yellow  fever, 
the  succeeding  summer,  took  u])  their  resid(aice  in  Newburgh  at  the  suggestion  of  their 
brother-in-law,  Mr.  yeymour.  Hero  the.y  engaged  in  the  mercantile  and  forwarding  trade, 
the  former  on  the  south-east  corner  of  Water  and  Third  streets  and  the  latter  from  a  wharf 
immediately  east,  where  they  remained  until  1813,  when  they  sold  to  Reeve  it  Falls.  They 
subsequently  opened  an  office  in  a  building  which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  Colon- 
nade Row,  where  they  conducted  business  as  private  bankers. 

Jacob  Powell  died  in  1823,  from  a  cancer  on  the  face.  "In  relation  to  this  individual," 
says  Mr.  Eager,  "we  have  the  unbroken  voice  of  all  who  knew  him,  to  justify  us  in 
saying,  that  he  was  not  only  sagacious  and  truly  philanthropic  in  the  operations  of  his 
mind,  but  upright  in  his  connnercial  transactions."  He  died  unmarried,  in  his  .58th  year, 
and  his  brother,  Thomas,  succeeded  to  his  estate. 

Thomas  Powell  retired  from  business  soon  after  the  death  of  his  brother:  but  again 
entered  active  life  in  1833-'3-i,  and  from  that  time  until  his  death  (May  12,  1850, )  he  con- 
tributed largely,— by  the  enterprises  in  which  he  engaged,  and  those  which  he  fostered 
and  encouraged, — to  the  prosperity  of  the  village.  .\t  a  public  meeting  of  citizens  held 
May  19, 185fi,  called  to  pay  a  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory,  the  late  Hon.  John  W. 
Brown  remarked:  "In  a  public  nu;eting  of  his  neighbors  and  townsmen,  it  were  idle  to 
speak  of  his  public  spirit,  and  tht'  uses  he  made  of  his  wealth  during  the  last  twenty-five 
years  of  his  life.  How  he  a])plied  it,  and  what  he  did  with  it,  is  fresh  in  the  recollection  of 
us  all.  It  is  sufti<-ient  to  say.  that  whatever  measure  of  activity  pervades  our  public 
streets,  our  worksiiops,  our  wharves  and  places  of  business,  we  owe  to  the  prompt  and 
intelligent  interposition  of  Mr,  Powell's  wealth  and  credit  between  us  and  the  legitimate 
results  of  great  public  improx-ements  \\hicli  threatened  to  dry  up  the  sources  of  our  pros- 
perity, and  divert  tVie  streams  of  our  business  hito  other  channels.  He  was  not  aUme  in 
his  exertions  to  arrest  the  downward  tendency  of  our  prosperity.  There  were  others,  and 
especially  one  other,  whose  efforts  were  cons])icuous  in  the  same  emergency,  and  to  whom 
the  citizens  of  Newburgh  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  it  will  be  difficult  to  pay."  The 
ref(«rence  by  the  speaker  was  to  Mr.  Powell's  (bourse,  and  that  of  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Homer 
Ramsdell,  in  coiuKiction  with  the  construction  of  the  Newburgh  branch  railroad,  already 
detailed  in  another  part  of  this  work.t  in  which  the  firm  of  wliich  they  were  the  principals 
became  responsible,  through  endorsements,  acceptancies,  and  advances,  for  $202,219,  and 
without  which  the  constniction  of  the  road  would  have  been  indefinitely  deferred.  His 
\isefulne8s  was  not  less  conspicuous  in  the  organization  of  the  Powell  Bank  in  1838,  and 
in  the  estabUshment  of  the  Newburgh  Steam  Mills  in  1844.  It  was  this  use  of  his  capital 
and  credit  for  the  benetit  of  the  community  as  well  as  for  that  of  himself,  rather  than  for 

*  Father  of  George  W.  Townsend  of  Newburgh.  f  Ante  p.  377. 

X  Ante  p.  225,  229. 


/Cyi^i^^i^^i^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  403 


any  enterprises  which  he  originated,  that  will  keep  his  memory  green,  while  that  of  others 
will  wither  under  the  apostrophe — 

"  But  thou !  what  hast  thou  done  with  all  the  powers 
That  lavish  nature  wasted  on  thy  soul?" 

Mr.  Powell  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Robert  Ludlow,  and  had:  1.  Henry  T.,  died  in 
183i ;  2.  Robert  L.,  married  Louisa  A.  Orso,  and  had  Frances  E.  L.,  now  deceased,  Mary 
L.  (married  Isaac  S.  Fowler),  Henrietta  (married  Doct.  W.  A.  M.  Culbert),  and  Fanny, 
now  deceased  ;  3.  James  A.,  was  drowned  in  1828  ;  4.  Jacob,  died  in  1816  ;  5.  Frances  E. 
L.,  married  Homer  Ramsdell. 


THE    HOMER    RAMSDELL   FAMILY. 

Among  the  early  substantial  emigrants  from  England  who  settled 
in  Massachusetts  were  Joseph  RainsdeU  (or  Ramsden)  and  his  wife 
Martha  Bowker,  at  Plymouth  in  1648,  and  John  Stockbridge  and  his 
wife  Anna,  at  Scituate  in  1638.  Theii-  prior  history  is  not  known,  nor 
is  there  record  of  their  pioneer  experiences,  although  it  is  known  that 
they  shared  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of  New  England  life  at  that  period, 
and  founded  famihes  destined  to  an  honorable  part  in  the  annals  of 
the  ('ommunities  in  which  they  lived.  The  descent  of  the  latter  is 
traced  for  this  work  from  Wm.  Stockbridge,  and  that  of  the  former 
from  his  great-grandson,  Joseph  Ramsdell  (2),  who  maiTied  Maiy 
Homer,  at  Duxbury,  Mass.,  April  23,  1730,  and  had  ten  children — of 
whom  Joseph  (3)  married  Ehzabeth  Barker,  Feb.  1,  1770.  He  served 
as  one  of  the  committee  of  safety  of  Hanover,  Mass.,  in  1775  and  '76, 
and  was  in  other  respects  identified  with  the  Revolution.  He  died 
Aug.  5,  1817.  His  son,  Josej^h  (4),  born  Sept.  10,  1775,  married  Ruth 
Stockbridge,  daughter  of  "Wm.  Stockbridge,  of  Hanover,  Feb.  3,  1800, 
removed  to  Warren,  and  had:  1.  Josejih,  2.  Maiy,  3.  Homer — of  whom 

Ho»iER  Ramsdell  (3)  was  born  in  Warren,  Mass.,  August  12th,  1810,  and  was  educa- 
ted at  Monson  Academy.  He  entered  the  dry  goods  trade  in  New  Yoi'k  in  1882,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  avocation  until  1840.  In  1844,  he  became  one  of  the  firm  of  T.  Powell 
&  Co.,  and  fi'om  that  time  until  the  present  has  continued  his  connection  with  the  mer- 
cantile and  forwarding  business  in  Newburgh.  He  was  elected  a  director  of  the  Erie  rail- 
road in  1846,  and  has  held  that  position  since  that  time,  with  the  exception  of  the  interval 
elapsing  between  October,  1857,  and  October,  1866;  served  as  president  of  the  company 
from  1853  to  1857,  and  in  1876,  as  receiver.  From  the  date  of  his  association  with  the  firm 
of  T.  Powell  &  Co.,  until  Mr.  Powell's  death,  he  was  very  largely  the  administrator  of  Mr. 
Powell's  fortune,  and  to  him  perhaps  the  connnuuity  owe  most  of  the  undertakmgs  in  which 
that  firm  engaged.  No  public  enterprise  has  for  many  years  been  complete  without  his  aid, 
while  those  of  a  private  character  to  which  he  has  been  a  party  have  not  been  limited  in 
number  or  unproductive  of  general  benefit.  The  history  of  Newburgh  for  over  a  quarter 
of  a  century  has  been  his  histoi-y;  its  pathway  is  studded  with  mementos  of  his  usefulness. 
He  married  Frances  E.  L.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Powell,  June  16,  1835,  and  had:  1.  Mary 
L.  P.,  born  March  23,  1836,  died  July  29.  1841 ;  2.  Frances  J.  (married  Major  George  W. 
Rains);  3.  Thomas  P.;  4.  James  A.  P.;  5.  Henry  P.;  6.  Homer  S.;  and  7.  Leila  E. 


REV.    JOHN    BROWT«f,    D.  D. 

Rev.  John  Brown,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  May 
19th,  1791.     He  graduated  from  Columbia  college  in  1811;  studied 


/ 


404  msTOBY  OF  XEWBUnGH. 

law  under  Bisho})  H(ibart  and  was  ordained  deacon  of  the  ProtestaJit 
Episcopal  church  at  St.  Paul's  churc-h.  New  York,  in  1812.  At  the 
bishop  s  request,  he  went  to  Trinity  church,  Fislikill,  wliich  had  then 
been  without  a  rector  for  seventeen  years,  and  reorganized  the  con- 
<>Te«;ation.  at  the  same  time  holdinj;'  stated  services  in  New-burgh.  In 
1815,  he  was  ordained  priest  by  Bishop  Hobart.  at  St.  Paul's,  New 
York,  and  during  the  same  year  removed  to  Newburgh,  having  re- 
ceived and  accepted  a  call  to  the  rectorship  of  St.  George's  chui-ch, 
where  he  preached  his  inaiigmal  sermon,  Dec.  24tli,  1815.  He  also 
reorganized  St.  Thomas'  church,  New  Windsor;  was  chosen  its  rector 
and  held  that  position,  dividing  his  time  between  the  two  parishes, 
until  1844.  when  he  lesigned  the  latter  cluu'ge.  Diu-ing  the  eailier 
years  of  his  rec-torship  of  St.  (Tcorge's,  he  performed  a  lai'ge  amount 
of  missionary  work  in  this  section  of  country.  In  this  tield  he  or- 
iranized  St.  John's  chui'ch  at  Monticello;  Grace  chiuch  at  INIiddle- 
town,  and  later  the  ch\u-ches  at  Cornwall  and  Maiiborough.  He  also 
revived  the  clnu'ch  at  Goshen,  St.  Andrew's  at  Walden,  St.  Peter's  at 
PeekskiU,  and  St.  Philip's  at  Gjuiisons,  holding  services  at  intervals 
in  those  places  until  the  churches  were  able  to  s\ippoi*t  a  minister. 
Few  of  the  pioneer  clergy  of  the  district  Avere  more  zealous  or  more 
devoted,  and  none  whose  labors  have  been  more  satisfactory. 

The  senices  of  Dr.  Brown  in  his  ow-n  parish  ai-e  stated  in  ctmnec- 
tion  witli  its  history  in  another  pai-t  of  this  work.  In  other  fields  of 
local  labor  he  was  for  many  yeai-s  quite  active,  and  notably  so  as  one 
of  the  trustees  of  the  Newburgh  academy  and  subseqiiently  of  the 
free  schools,  as  a  member  of  the  Horticultiu-al  society,  chaplain  of 
the  Masonic  fi-aternity,  etc.  Amid  the  changes  of  the  many  yeai-s  of 
his  pastorate,  \iv  has  held  the  parental  affection  iiud  respect  of  liis 
people  as  well  as  of  the  community.  He  maiiied  Friinces  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Robei-t  LiiiUow,  Nov.  15,  1819.  Mi-s.  BrowTi  lived  to 
celebrate  the  fiftieth  jumiversary  of  her  wedding;  she  died  April  18, 
1872,  having  had  issue  six  children,  viz:  Mary,  who  mju-ried  Daniel 
T.  Rogers;  Margaret  T.  L.,  who  married  George  W.  KeiT*;  Augusta 
P.,  who  married  Moses  Ely;  Helen;  Anna  W.,  who  mai-ried  Eugene 
A.  Brewster  t;  John  Hobai-t,  and  Chiules  "W. 


*  Georgo  W.  Ken-  was  horn  at  Knowltoii  Mills  (iu>«  rauliua)  Wanon  county,  N.  J.,  Feb- 
ruary 15.  1810,  and  is  a  lineal  descoiulant  of  Rev.  Walter  Kerr  of  Jlonmouth.  N.  J.  His 
parents  removed  to  Ithaea,  N.  Y..  where  he  entered  the  Branch  ]>ank  of  Newlmrgh,  and 
on  its  withdraw  al  in  1S31.  removed  to  Newlnirgh  and  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  15ank  of 
Newhnr.irh.  lu  lS8(i  he  was  chosen  cashier  of  that  institution,  and  in  ISoi  was  elected 
its  president,  a  position  in  which  he  was  retained  luider  its  reorganization  in  IStU. 

+  Eugene  A.  Brewster  was  born  in  New  York  city,  April  13th,  1827,  aiid  removed  with 

bis  parents  to  Neivhnrgh  when  he  was  three  years  old.     Having  qualitied  himself  for  tkat 

position,  he  was  appointed  teacher  in  the  Newburgh  Hi£rh  School  where  he  remained  two 

N       years.     Tn  1843.  he  entered  the  oflice  of  the  late  Hon.  John  W.  Brown  :  was  admitted  to 

\     the  bar  in  IS-tS.  but  rcmaiued  in  Judge  Brown's  office  until  1850,  since  which  time  he  has 

occupied  a  leading  position  in  the  profession. 


/ 

/ 


BIOGRAPHWAL  f^KETCBEK. 


THR    HATHAWAY   FAMILY. 

The  genealogy  of  this  family  is  traced  fi'om  Benjamin  Hatheway, 
as  the  name  was  formerly  written,  who  came  from  Scotland,  about 
1767,  and  settled  at  Morristown,  N.  J.,  where  he  died.  His  only  son, 
Clemens  Hathaway,  removed  to  Newburgh,  where  he  died,  Sept.  1801, 
aged  56  years  and  4  months,  and  where  his  wife,  Hannah,  died  June 
8, 1809,  aged  56  years  and  10  months.  Their  children  were  Ebenezer 
and  Josiah.  The  latter  was  born  Dec.  8,  1771,  and  married,  Aug.  13, 
1794,  Mabel,  a  sister  of  Samuel  O.  (Iregory.  He  followed  for  a  few 
years  the  occupation  of  cabinet-maker,  but  afterwards  engaged  in  the 
coasting  trade,  and  commanded  the  sloop  Rejyuhliran,  owned  by  Geo. 
Gardner;  was  subsequently  associated  with  Caleb  Coffin  in  the  same 
trade,  and  sailed  from  New  York  to  Washington,  N.  C,  where  he  died 
July  19,  1811.  His  wife,  Mabel,  died  at  Morris  Plains,  N.  J.,  July  13, 
1811.  His  children  were:  1.  Rhoda,  who  died  in  infancy;  2.  Frede- 
rick A.,  born  April  1st,  1801,  married  Fhebe  Stackhoiise,  and  had 
Frederick  A.,  and  Stephen  S.;  3.  Odell  Samuel,  born  Sept.  1,  1802. 

Odei.l  iS.  Hathaway  (3)  was  bom  in  New- 
burffh,  ati  the  residence  of  his  fatlier  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Smith  and  Fourth  streets.  Left  an  orphan 
at  the  aj?e  of  aeven  years,  he  was  taken  by  his 
nncle,  Seth  (rrcfjory,  of  Morristown,  N.  .F..  with 
whom  he  remained  a  few  years,  and  attended  a 
common  school.  He  then  returned  to  Newburgh 
and  entered  the  store  of  Sainuol  G.  Sneden,  as 
clerk,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  he  attain- 
ed his  majority,  performing  his  duties  accepta- 
bly "  for  and  in  consideration  of  his  board  and 
clothes."'  After  serving  his  time  ho  was  employ- 
ed by  Mr.  Sneden  until  1824,  when  ho  became  a 
partner,  and,  on  the  death  of  Mr.  Sneden,  in 
183(i,  he  succeeded  to  the  entire  business.  He  sul)se(iuently  served  as  supervisor  of  the 
town  for  twelve  or  thirteen  years,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  consecutively.  In  1809, 
he  was  elected  member  of  assonil)ly  and  filled  the  position  aciceptahly.  For  some  years 
l)rior  to  18(54,  he  was  a  direelor  of  th<'  J5ank  of  Newburgh,  and  in  that  year  was  elected 
president  of  the  Quassaick  Bank,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  187fi,  when  he  resigned. 
■  Mr.  Hathaway  married  Hek^i  :\Iaria,  daughter  of  Charles  Birdsall,  Sept.  27,  1827,  and 
had:  1.  Amelia  M.,  wlio  miuried  Nathaniel  B.  Hayt ;  2.  Harriet  A.,  wiio  niarried  Edward 
H.  Tomlinson  ;  3.  Josiah  A.,  married  Julia  Darusha,  died  March  23,  18C)4,  aged  32  years  ; 
4.  Wilham  M.,  who  married  Sojihia  Blake,  served  as  adjutant  of  litth  militia  and  l(58th 
volunteers  in  the  war  of  the  reljellion,  died  Feb.  3,  1871,  aged  .37  years  ;  .5.  Sarali  S.,  mar- 
ried James  E.  Horton  ;  (j.  Odell  S.,  married  Susan  F.  Bradner ;  7.  Charles  C  ;  8.  Hiram 
F. ;  i).  Helen  M.,  married  Edward  Low,  died  Sept.  1!).  1875:   10.  Edward  M. 


THE    FARRINGTON    FAMILY. 

Edmund  Farrington,  the  anc^estor  of  the  Newburgh  family  of  that 
name,  emigrated  fi-om  Southampton,  Eng.,  and  settled  in  Lynn,  Mass., 
sometime  prior  to  1()40 ;  fi-om  thence  he  removed  with  others  to  Cow 
Bay,  L.  I.,  where  a  settlement  was  commenced  but  socni  after  broken 


406  mSTORY  OF  NEWBUROH.. 

up  by  the  Dutch  fyovernor  of  New  Netherland.  He  then  returned  to 
Lynn,  and  (1655)  built  a  mill  there,  and  dug  a  pond  and  opened  a 
brook  for  a  half  mile,  called  Farrington  brook.  He  died  in  1680, 
aoed  88  years.  His  sons,  Thomas  and  Edmund,  removed  to  Flush- 
ing, L.  I.,  fr-oni  whence  Thomas  remolded  to  Westchester  county,  where 
he  has  descendants.  His  oldest  son  remained  in  Lyim,  and  was  the 
grandfather  of  Daniel  Farringion,  born  in  Lynn  in  1765,  and  died  in 
Newbm'gli  in  1813,  in  his  48tli  year,  leaving  issue  by  his  wife,  Rachel 
Ward  (died  in  New  York  in  1864,  aged  97  years) :  1.  Sarah;  2.  Daniel; 
3.  Ebenezer  Ward;  4.  Ezra;  5.  Susan;  6.  Mary;  7.  Rachel;  8.  John; 
9.  Theophilus. 

Sarau  Faurington  (1),  born  in  Windsor,  Vt.,  Oct.  20,  1791 ;  married  William  S.  Libbey* 
and  had  Mehitable,  Rachel,  Maria,  Ann,  Jane,  Sarah,  William  S.,  and  Elizabeth.  She  died 
June  20, 182(i. 

Daniel  Farkinhton  (2)  was  horn  in  Salem,  Mass.,  July  6,  1793;  removed  to  Newburp;h 
about  1811,  where  he  died  Nov.  17,  1861.  He  married  first,  Elizabeth  T.  Tate  (born  Nov. 
17,  1791,  died  Aug.  8,  1824,)  and  had  Rachel  W.,  Ezra,  and  Elizabeth  Jane,  all  of  whom 
died  young,  and  Thomas  T.f  and  Daniel.  His  second  wife  was  Eva  Miller  (born  Aug.  21, 
1794,  died  April  15,  1870,)  by  whom  he  had  Ezra, if  Ebenezer,  Rachel  (married  Rev.  J.  K. 
Milliken),  Mary,  John  M.,  and  Joseph.  He  was  a  painter  by  trade  and  conducted  that 
business  in  Newbur.ffh  for  nearly  fifty  years,  during  wliieh  time  he  was  a  liberal  patron  of 
the  various  public  enterprises  which  were  undertalven,§  and  commanded  the  confidence  of 
his  contemporaries. 

Ebenezer  W.  PakrinctTON  (.3)  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1796.  He  was  a  brewer 
and  had  a  small  malt-house  in  Boston,  from  whence  he  removed  to  Newburgh,  where  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  firm  of  Law,  Bevridge  &  Co.,  and  subsequently  served  as  president 
of  the  Quassaiclv  Bank,  president  of  tlie  Board  of  Trustees,  etc.  He  was  a  worthy  citizen 
and  a  liberal  and  hcmorable  man.  He  married  Ehzabeth,  daughter  of  James  Bevridge, 
and  had  James  B.  (married  Susan  M.  Carpenter,  of  Havana,  Schuyler  co. ),  Elizabeth, 
Rachel  W.,  Mary  L.,  Ebenezer  W.  (drowned,  1838),  John  B.  (married  Mary  A.  S.,  daugh- 
ter of  John  McCroskeryll),  died  in  1869.     He  died  in  1868. 

Ezra  Fabkinqton  (4) ,  removed  South ;  died  unmarried. 

Susan  Faerinc.ton  (5)  married  George  Gray  and  had  George,  Daniel,  Ward.  Mary, 
Catharine,  and  Sarah. 

*  Mr.  Libbey  was  a  native  of  New  Hanipshire,  and  a  carpenter  and  builder  by  occupa- 
tion. He  died  in  1869,  aged  83  years.  His  son,  William  S.,  is  now  of  the  firm  "of  Hilton 
&  Libbey,  successors  to  Alexander  T.  Stewart,  New  York. 

t  Rev.  Thomas  T.  Farringtou  was  born  in  Newburgh,  March  21,  1821.  He  received  a 
dassical  education  at  Union  College,  and  afterwards  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Newburgh,  where  he  completed  his  preparation  tor  the  ministry.  After  leaving  the  latter 
mstitiition,  he  filled  three  pastx)rates  successively,  viz:  at  Geneva,  Salem  (Washington  co.), 
and  Oxbow.  In  the  summer  of  1864  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  Associate  Reformed 
church  ot  Newburgh,  and  continued  in  that  relation  until  Juno  5th,  1875,  when  he  died 
almost  mstantly  from  disease  of  the  heart.  He  married  Mary  M.  Wilkin,  of  Hampton- 
burgh,  and  left  six  children. 

it  Ezra  Farringtou  was  born  April  4, 182(),  and  died  of  disease  of  the  heart.  Feb.  25,1875. 
He  was  lor  several  years  associated  with  his  fathei-  in  business,  and  subsequently  (in  com- 
pany with  his  brother  Daniel)  became  his  successor.  He  was  an  active  meniber  of  the 
ri^nibhcan  party,  and  was  repeatedly  the  recipient  of  honors  from  his  poHtical  friends.  In 
addition  to  minor  local  positions,  lie  filled  the  office  of  postmaster  from  1861  to  1866.  and 
trom  l8bJ  uutiJ  lus  death.    He  married  Margaret  Casteriine  and  left  five  children. 

§  Ante  p.  227,  229,  238,  267. 

II  John  McCroskery  was  a  native  of  Ireland.  He  left  the  place  of  his  birth  in  1813,  at 
tue  age  ot  14  years.  When  within  a  few  hours  sad  of  New  York,  the  vessel  on  which  he 
was  a  i)assengor  was  captured  by  a  British  cruiser  and  taken  toHaUfax,  where  he  remained 
about  two  years  when  he  came  to  Newburgh.  He  married  here  Catharine  Shields,  and 
naa  Mary  a.  S.,  who  married  John  B.  Farrington  ;  Agnes  E.,  now  deceased,  and  John  J. 
S.,  now  mayor  of  the  city  and  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Newburgh. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  407 


Maby  Fakrington  (6)  married  Peter  Amerman  and  had  Newton,  Lander,  and  Mary. 

Rachel  Fakrington  (7)  married  first,  James  Law,  and  second,  Benjamin  Lander,*  by 
whom  she  had  Hannah,  and  Sarah  (married  Beuj.  H.  Mace).     She  died  Feb.  23,  1838. 

John  Farrington  (8)  married  and  settled  in  New  York. 

Theophilus  Farrington  (9)  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Derick  Amerman ;  settled  in 
Indianapolis,  Indiana. 


*  SAMUEL    LOGAN    FAMILY. 

Samuel  Logan,  presumed  to  have  been  born  in  Ireland,  was  a  cor- 
poral in  the  80tli  regiment  of  the  English  army  in  the  French  and 
Indian  war  of  1755-'59,  and  received  as  a  bounty  for  his  services  a 
tract  of  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  present  town  of  Charlotte, 
Vt.  He  settled  in  New  Windsor  prior  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
and  at  the  outbreak  of  that  war  was  appointed  captain  of  a  company 
of  minute  men.  On  the  26tli  of  July,  1776,  he  was  commissioned 
major  in  Col.  Lewis  DuBois'  regiment  in  the  continental  service,  and 
in  October,  1777,  was  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Montgomery.  He  was 
released  by  exchange,  Dec.  21,  1780,  having  remained  a  prisoner  of 
war  over  three  years.  He  returned  to  his  regiment  (then  the  5th 
New  York)  and  remained  on  duty  until  the  end  of  the  war,  when  he 
became  entitled  to  half-pay  for  hfe.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  Society  of  Cincinnati  ;f  was  a  hatter  by  trade,  and 
followed  that  avocation  in  New  Windsor  for  many  years.  He  married 
Abigail  Clark  of  C/OrnwaU,  and  had: 

1.  Susan,  who  married  Nathaniel  Hubbard  and  had  Mary,  Susan, 
Nathaniel,  and  Walter. 

2.  Harriet,  who  married  Jonathan  Kniifen  of  New  Windsor  (Jan. 
12,  1805),  and  had  Algnor,  Edward,  Samuel,  Frederick,  Henrietta, 
Mary,  and  Sally. 

8.  Abigail,  who  married  John  Walsh  (brother  of  WilUam  and  Henry 
Walsh),  and  had:  1.  Wilham  M.,  who  had  Maiy,  Juha,  Harriet,  Wil- 
liam, and  John;  2.  Jonathan  C,  who  had  John,  Charles,  and  Wallace; 
3.  Harriet,  who  married  Thomas  Shaw;  4.  Mary;  5.  Jane,  who  mar- 
ried Thomas  Shaw;  6.  Hiram,  and  7.  Isaac,  who  died  unmanned. 

4.  Betsey,  who  married  Thomas  Nicholson. 

5.  PoUy,  who  married  Thomas  Nicholson. 

6.  James,  who  married  Mary  Rogers  and  had:  1.  Samuel  R.,|  who 
married  Sally  Andrews  and  had  Maxy  H.,  who  married  Peter  Ward;§ 


*  Mr.  Lander  was  for  several  years  associated  with  Daniel  Farrington  under  the  firm  of 
Farrington  &  Lander.  He  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  is  spoken  of  as  a  man  of 
sterlmg  integrity.     He  died  in  1839,  aged  41  years. 

t  By  descent  this  membership  is  now  in  James  J.  Logan  of  Newburgh. 

i  Samuel  R.  Logan  was  captain  of  the  steamboat  Providence,  of  Oakley  &  Davis'  line, 
1833  and  part  of  1834.     He  died  in  the  early  part  f)f  the  latter  year. 

Si  Peter  Ward  was  born  in  Raniapo,  Rockland  county,  Sept.  30,  1827,  and  flnislied  his 
ediication  in  Goshen.  He  commenced  Hfe  as  a  conductor  on  the  Erie  railroad  in  1843 ; 
subsv^quently  served  as  civil  engineer,  and  from  1851  to  1859  was  superintendent  of  the  New- 
burgh branch.  In  1859  he  beeamcf  one  of  the  firm  of  Ward  &  Leonard  (now  Ward  &  Logan. ) 


408  mSTORY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

James  J.,  who  married  Mtxiy  E.,  daughter  of  Georcje  Mecklem,  and 
thrc^e  children  who  died  in  infancy;  2.  Ahip^ail,  who  married  Jackson 
Oakley;  3.  Cornelia,  married  Aaron  Dezendorf;  4.  Caroline,  married 
John  H.  Lane  of  Canterbiu'v;  5.  Elizabeth,  who  died  unmarried;  (5. 
Edward  H.,  died  unmiu-ried;  7.  Jiilia  Ann,  married  Nicholas  Wilson. 
He  resided  in  New  ^^'indsor,  and  was  accidentally  di-owned  in  1833. 

7.  Samuel  M.,  who  married  Julia  allock  and  had:  1.  Betsey,  who 
mai'ried  Lindsey  Sherwood  and  had  Georj^e  L. ;  Julia  E.,  manied 
Stephen  Bixlvcr;  Adtilaide.  married  Michael  Fitchey;  Msu-y,  married 
Thomas  Brush;  Jane;  Eui^enp;  Catharine,  and  Hiu-riet;  2.  DeWitt; 
3.  Martha,  nuu-ried  a  jMiuray;  4.  Jane;  5.  Nancy. 

8.  William,  umnaiiied. 


THE    WALSH    BROTHERS. 

Thomas,  Jolm,  AVilliam,  Henry,  and  Michael  Walsh*  were  the  sons 
of  IMichael  Walsh,  jin  immigrant  from  Ireland  and  a  resident  of  New 
Windsor,  from  whence  Tlu)mas  removed  to  Great  Bend,  Pa.,  and 
William  and  Heni-y  to  Newburgh  about  the  commencement  of  the 
present  centtuy.  The  childreai  of  Thomas  have  not  been  asceriained. 
John  was  a  blacksmith  in  New  Windsor.  He  married  Abigail  Logan 
and  had:  1.  Hairiet,  married  Thos.  Shaw;  2.  Maiy  Ann;  3.  Hii-am; 
4.  Isaac;  5.  Jane,  married  Thos.  Shaw;  (>.  Jonathan  B. ;  7.  William  M. 

AVilliam  was  one  of  the  early  merchants  of  Newburgh ;  was  tor  many 
years  supervisor  of  the  town,  iind  for  twenty  yeai's  president  of  the 
Bank  of  Newburgli.  He  erected  the  building  now  on  the  south-west 
coi-ner  of  Water  and  Thii-d  streets,  where  he  kept  liis  store  and  liis 
residence  until  he  retii*ed  from  mercantile  business,  when  he  pur- 
chased the  Betts  homestead,  on  Montgomery  street,  neai-  Fii-st,  where 
he  resided  until  his  eleatli.  He  was  born  Jan.  7th,  17G3,  ajid  liied  Nov. 
2d,  1839.  His  wife,  Mjut  daughter  of  Joseph  Morrell,  was  born  Jan. 
7th,  1784,  tmd  died  March  24,  18G(5.  Their  childi-en  were:  1.  Joseph 
Morrell,  born  Miuvh  13,  1802,  died  Dec.  3d,  1838;  2.  Mai'gai*et,  born 
J\me  25th,  1805,  died  Aug.  1st,  1849;  mariied  E.  Crosby,  of  Fishkill ; 
3.  William  Hemy,  born  July  25th,  1807,  mai-ried  Ann  Tousey;  4. 
Albert,  born  Dei-.  1st,  1810,  died  Mai'ch  31,  1857;  5.  Chaiies,  born 
April  28th,  1813,  married  :\leHsse  Ann  Halstead;  fi.  Mary  Aim,  born 
Jime  28,  1815,  mimied  WilUam  Wells;  7.  Edward  Le^ris,  born  Nov. 
8,  1817;  8.  John  Jolmston  (now  the  Rev.  John  J.  Walsh),  born  April 
4th,  1820,  inaii-ied  Emma  Brett;  9.  Norman  Andi'ews  (twin  brother 
of  John  J.),  died  July  2G,  1840;  10.  Saxah  Ehzabeth,  born  June  16, 
1827,  married  James  Bull. 


•<  The  oi>ipnal  name  is  said  to  have  been  Welch,  and  that  William  was  the  tirst  to  charge 
the  orthogi^phy.  William  and  his  brother  Heurv  kept  stores  on  opposite  sides  of  the 
street;  the  former  had  Walsh  painted  on  his  sign  and  the  latt*n-  Welch. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  409 


Henry  commenced  business  in  Newburgh,  in  1798,  as  a  maker  and 
dealer  in  boots  and  shoes.  He  married  Mehitable  Bull,  and  had:  1. 
Julia  Ann,  mairied  a  WeUs;  2.  Mehitable;  8.  Abraham  (married 
Rachel  Ann  Simmons);  4.  James;  5.  Thomas  (now  Doct.  Thomas  of 
Port  Jervis);  6.  George  Augustus;  7.  Robert. 

Michael  marned  a  daughter  of  William  Sayre,  of  New  Windsor, 
and  had:  1.  Harriet;  2.  MaiT- 


SHAWS    OF    NEWBURGH    AND    NEW    WINDSOR. 

Thomas  and  John  Shaw  (brothers)  came  from  Ireland  in  1790  and 
settled  in  New  Windsor,  Thomas  had  two  sons,  Thomas,  Jr.,  born  in 
1799,  and  Robert,  born  in  1803.  Thomas,  Jr.,  married  first,  Eleanor 
Burnett  and  had  Crawford.  He  manned,  second,  Harriet,  daughter 
of  John  Walsh  and  granddaughter  of  Samuel  Logan,  and  had:  I.- 
George W.,  born  July  31,  1824,  married  Rhoda  B.  Alexander  and  had 
Thomas,  Mary,  Catharine,  Charles  B.,  Jennie  S.,  and  Harry;  2.  Charles 
B.,  man-ied  Henrietta  Roderman  and  had  Hem7  Berry,  and  Maria 
Bradley;  8.  Elkanah  K.,  married  Elizabeth  McCoun.  He  married, 
third,  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Walsh.  He  removed  to  Newburgh  in 
1832,  where,  after  conducting  for  several  years  the  business  of  an 
architect  and  builder,  he  was  the  founder,  in  1852,  of  the  firm  of 
Thos.  Shaw  &  Sons.  His  son,  Elkanah  K.,  has  served  as  an  alderman, 
and  as  a  water  commissioner,  of  the  city,  and  has  given  evidences  of 
his  architectural  skiU  in  the  plans  for  the  Union  Presbyterian  church 
edifice,  the  Grand  street  j^ublic  school  buUding,  the  house  of  fire  com- 
panies No's.  2  and  5,  and  in  many  private  residences. 

Robert  Shaw  (brother  to  Thomas,  Jr.,)  married  and  had  Samuel  B., 
who  married  Mary  Jane  Mackimson;  and  Mary  Ellen,  who  married 
Charles  J.  Griggs. 

John  Shaw  (brother  to  Thomas,  senr.,)  married  and  had  1.  Thomas 
G.,  who  man'ied  Betsey  Kemochan  and  had  Margaret,  Maria,  John, 
Mary  Elizabeth,  and  Sarah;  2.  James,  who  married  Eliza  Burnett, 
without  issue ;  3.  Margaret,  who  married  A  ndrew  Kemochan  and  had 
Joseph;  4.  Mary,  who  married  James  McCartney  and  had  George, 
John,  Robert,  James,  Elizabeth  (married  James  Finlay),  and  Jane 
Ann  (married  Samuel  Clelland,  Jr. ) 


WARD    M.    GAZLAY. 

Ward  M.  Gazlay  is  said  to  have  been  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  Hq 
purchased,  at  Goshen,  in  1804,  a  paper  called  the  Friend  of  TrutJi, 
and  changed  the  title  to  the  Orange  Eagle.  His  establishment  was 
burned  soon  after  and  his  paper  discontinued.  In  1806,  he  came  to 
Newburgh  and  purchased  the  Recorder'  of  the  Times,  the  title  of  which 


410 


mSTOBT  OF   NEWBVBGH: 


he  chaiif^ed  to  the  Political  Index,  which  he  continued  until  1829.  In 
additiou  to  his  editorial  duties,  he  tilled  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  won  reputation  for  probity  and  inipai*tiality.  As  an  editor 
he  was  neither  ambitious  or  iudustiious;  he  wrote  little  beyond  brief 
local  notes,  although  his  paper  had  some  chai-acter  tkrough  the  con- 
tributions of  Jonathan  and  Theodore  Fisk.  His  personal  appearance 
was  not  prepossessing.  His  statui-e  was  under  medium  size;  shoul- 
dei-s  and  fi-anie  broad  and  thin;  caii-iage  ungainly,  and  gait  shuffling; 
but  these  exterior  aspects  were  compensated  by  a  heart  gioTsing  with 
chaiity,  and  an  independence  of  mind  that  wovdd  beg  or  die  before 
doing  a  mean  or  a  dishonest  act  to  win  gold  or  favor.  He  died  April 
20,  1836,  aged  about  54  yeai's.*  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Carter,  and  left  three  sons. 


JOHN    D.    SPALDING. 

John  D.  Spalding  was  connected  Arith  the  Newburgh  press  for  about 
thirty-eight  yeai-s.  He  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  Jjxn.  1800.  He 
removed  to  Newburgh  in  1815,  in  company  with  his  father,  the  Rev. 
Joshua  Spalthng,  and  was  soon  after  apprenticed  to  Wai-d  M.  Gazlay, 
then  of  tlie  Political  Index,  witli  whom  he  remained  until  1822,  when 
he  commenced  the  publication  of  the  Newburgh  GazeUe.  He  was  con- 
nected \\-ith  this  paper  until  1888  or  '84,  when  he  sold  out  liis  interest 
and  started  the  Newburgh  Journal,  which  he  continued  (subsequently 
under  the  title  of  the  Highland  Courier,)  until  his  death. 

As  a  journjilist,  few  men  have  occupied  that  position,  in  the  same 
locality,  for  a  longer  term  of  years;  or  who,  having  done  so,  passed 
fi-om  the  stage  leading  a  more  favorable  record,  than  ^Lr.  Spalding. 
He  was  not  a  brilliant  writer,  but  he  possessed  a  sound  judgment,  was 
lu-bane  and  kind  in  his  disposition,  and  had  many  negative  qualities 
through  which  he  secured  fi-ieuds  and  retained  them.  In  person,  he 
was  over  six  feet  in  height,  light  in  frame  and  in  tiesh,  and  migainly 
in  liis  cai-riage.  He  mai-ried  Elizabeth  L.,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  John 
Jolmston,  D.  D.,  of  Newbm*gh,  and  had  several  childi-en.  He  died 
on  the  22d  of  August,  1858,  in  the  54th  yeai-  of  his  age,  after  an  ill- 
ness of  about  two  days. 


Samuel  Pannenter  was  of  the  seventh  generation  of  John  Pai-men- 

♦•V^'';i*""\^  peculiarities  and  a  few  faults,  Mr.  Gazlav  united  many  excellent  qualities  both 
oi  neaaaud  heart.  His  early  career  as  a  magistrate  was  marked  bv  strict  probitv.  and  a 
sound,  aiscnmuuitmg  judgment,  united  to  a  fixedness  of  purpose  and  an  impartiiUitv  i« 
Ills  aecisions  which  saw  no  ditfereuce  between  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  peasant  and  tAe 
kmg.— 2(?te(;/-ap/),  .4pn7  21,  1836. 


BTOGRAPRICAL  SKETCHES.  4i| 


ter,  who  emifiTated  from  Enofland  prior  to  1639,  and  settled  in. Sud- 
bury, Mass.,  where  he  took  the  freeman's  oath.  May  13,  1040.  Ezra 
Parmenter,  the  father  of  Samuel,  was  born  June  16,  1760.*  His  son, 
Samuel,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Boston,  March  2,  1791.  He  married 
(1818)  EHza,  daughter  of  Stephen  Crane,  of  Newton,  Mass.,  and  soon 
after  removed  to  Newburgh,  where  he  died,  June  29, 1841.  His  wife, 
Eliza,  died  Sept.  14,  1849.  His  children  were  Charles  J.,  born  1822, 
died  in  1826;  Susan  E.  C,  born  1830,  died  in  1856;  and  Stephen  C, 
born  in  Warwick,  April  9,  1819,  married  Catharine  A.  McDoweU,  Oct. 
16,  1844;  died  December  12,  1863,  leaving  Caroline  E.,  Cornelia  A. 
Alginette  D.,  Gertmde  A.,  Geneveive  C,  and  Samuel  J. 

Ml'.  Parmenter  was  a  man  of  superior  talents  and  great  energy  of 
mind,  and  as  a  mathematician  had  few  equals.  He  was  for  many 
years  surveyor  of  the  village,  by  appointment  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  one  of  the  magistrates  of  the 
town.  In  1822,  he  compiled  and  published  "A  Concise  View  of  the 
United  States,"  a  very  useful  woi'k  and  one  which  was  eagerly  sought 
for  throughout  the  country.  Al:)out  the  same  year  he  made  a  map  of 
Poughkeepsie,  for  the  authorities  of  that  town.  In  1835,  in  pursu- 
ance of  a  resolution  of  the  board  of  tinistees,  he  made  a  series  of 
maps  of  the  village  of  New^burgh  and  vicinity,  showing  the  outlines, 
streets,  properiy,  etc.,  from  1752  to  1835.  These  maps  are  now  on 
tile,  and  are  among  the  most  valuable  and  important  papers  in  the 
archives  of  the  city.  In  1836,  he  compiled  and  pubhshed  "  A  Statis- 
tical Map  of  the  United  States,"  w^hich  was  highly  commended,  and 
which  met  with  such  ready  sale  that  three  editions  were  printed. 
From  1825  to  1832,  he  was  the  editor  and  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
the  Newbuvgh  Gazetfe.  He  was  an  active  Episcopalian,  and  was  the 
organist  of  St.  George's  church  for  about  seven  years.  His  accuracy 
as  a  surveyor  was  universally  admitted,  and  in  all  difticult  cases  he 
was  a  recognized  authority.  He  was  an  accomplished  scholar,  a  useful 
citizen,  and  a  good  man,  and  he  died  universally  respected. 


CHARLES    U.    CUSHMAN. 

Charles  Underbill  Cushman  was  born  in  Hartford,  Washington 
county,  N.  Y.,  March  20,  1802;  and  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Eobert 
Cushman,  one  of  the  original  company  of  Pilgrims,  who  saUed  for  the 
New^  World,  August  5th,  1(520,  O.  S.f     His  father  was  Charles  Cush- 

*  The  children  of  Ezra  Parmentei;  were  Samuel,  James,  William,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Sarah, 
Nancy  (died),  James,  aud  Nancy.  Elizabeth  married  Col.  Gardiner  Thompson,  of  New- 
bm-gh,  and  had  Ezra  P.,  Catharine  G.,  Mary  E.,  WilUam  P.,  Nancy  F.,  Maria  T.,  Helen, 
Susan  P.,  Charles  F.,  George  J.,  and  Julia.  William  Parmenter  served  several  years  a?  a 
representative  in  congress  from  Missachusetts. 

t  Robert  Cushman.  with  his  fariily,  took  passage  on  the  "Speedwell,"  a  vessel  that 
sailed  in  company  with  the  Mayflmver.  The  "Speedwell  "  proving  unseaworthy,  returned 
to  London,  and  it  was  not  until  November  21, 1621,  that  he  landed  in  America." 


412 


mSTOBY  OF  NEWBUBGH. 


man,  of  Bennington,  Vt.,  and  his  mother,  Mary,  daughter  of  Augus- 
tine Underhill.  His  mother  died  the  tenth  day  after  his  buih;  and 
Charles  became  the  foster  child  of  a  kind  and  affectionate  aunt,  and 
subsequently  of  his  grandfather  Underhill.  He  enjoyed  only  such 
advantages  of  education  as  a  common  school  in  a  thinly  settled  dis- 
trict afforded;  but,  on  the  death  of  liis  grandfather,  he  removed  to 
the  residence  of  his  father,  in  Bennington,  and  attended  the  Academy 
at  that  place  during  fovu*  winter  sessions.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he 
entered,  as  an  apprentice,  a  book  store  and  printing  office  at  Rutland, 
Vt.,  and  at  nineteen  he  removed  to  Boston,  and  found  employment  in 
printing  and  in  mercantile  piu'suits  for  four  years.  During  a  portion 
of  this  time  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  father  of  N.  P.  Willis.  He 
subsequently  passed  some  time  as  a  proof  reader  and  jobber  in  the 
American  Tract  Society's  printing-rooms  in  New  York.  Here,  learn- 
ing that  a  press  and  newspajaer  establishment  at  Newburgh  were  for 
sale,  he  left  the  city,  and  after  a  few  months  residence  in  Newbui'gh, 
purchased  the  Political  Index,  and  estabhshed  the  Orange  Telegraph — 
subsequently  the  Newhurgh  Telegraph — the  first  number  of  which  was 
issued  March  20,  1829.  In  the  autumn  of  1839,  having  become  tu-ed 
of  the  incessant  labors  of  an  editor,  he  sold  the  establishment,  which 
soon  afterward  passed  into  the  hands  of  H.  H.  Van  Dyck.  Mr.  Cush- 
man  subsequenth'  held  a  position  in  the  New  York  ctistoan  house,  but 
was  removed  on  the  change  of  the  federal  administration  in  18-11, 
when  he  entered  the  mercantile  business  in  New  York,  and  afterwards 
in  Newburgh.  He  retii-ed  in  1852  with  a  competency.  At  the  elec- 
tion in  1853,  he  was  chosen  member  of  assembly  fi'om  the  first  assem- 
bly district  of  Orange  county,  and  liUed  the  station  with  credit  to 
himself  and  to  his  constituents.  In  1858,  he  removed  to  Rhiuebeck, 
Duchess  county,  where  he  died,  June  1,  1859,  after  an  illness  of  only 
a  few  hours. 

Mr.  Cushman  was  a  man  of  strong  natural  abilities,  industry,  per- 
severance, independence  of  mind,  and  strict  integrity.  As  a  A\Titer, 
his  style  was  vigorous  and  compact.  He  used  but  few  words,  and  in 
expressing  his  thoughts  his  language  was  plain  and  unmistakable. 
His  pen  was  ever  ready  to  expose  wrong,  and  to  rebuke  alike  pohtical 
friends  and  foes  if  their  conduct  failed  to  reach  lus  standard  of  ca- 
pacity and  honesty.  As  a  private  citizen,  he  was  active  m  advancing 
the  interests  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  He  was  one  of  the 
foimders  of  the  Newburgh  and  of  the  Mechanics'  Library,  and  also 
helped  to  establish  the  Quassaick  Bank,  and  the  Newburgh  Savings 
Bank.  In  iill  liis  pubhc  and  private  walks  he  was  practical,  and  ex- 
liibited  the  traits  of  a  good  citizen  and  an  honest  man.  Li  person  he 
was  nearly  six  feet,  clear  complexion,  blue  eyes,  rather  fleshy,  and  well 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  418 

formed.  He  dressed  with  extreme  neatness,  and  walked  with  erect 
carriage  and  firm  tread.  He  married,  June,  1832,  Mary,  daughter  of 
Charles  Birdsall,  without  issue. 


WILLIAM    LESLIf:. 

William  Leslie  was  the  father  of  Alexander  Leslie,  of  Newburgh. 
He  conducted  for  a  short  time,  the  Newburgh  Gazette.  He  died  on  the 
17th  Feb.  1838,  of  consumption.  He  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and 
dui'ing  his  short  residence  in  Newburgh  won  the  reputation  of  an 
honest  and  an  industrious  citizen. 


ELIAS    PITTS. 

EHas  Pitts  was  born  in  Columbia  county,  New  York,  in  the  year 
1810,  and  received  a  liberal  education  at  the  Kinderhook  Academy. 
He  served  an  apprenticeship  of  a  few  years  in  the  office  of  the  Kinder- 
hook  Henllnel,  and  on  its  termination  became  associated  in  the  editorial 
management  of  that  paj)er.  Subsequently,  he  removed  to  Rochester, 
and  was  connected  with  the  editorial  department  of  the  Advertiser 
of  that  city,  a  paper  pubUshed  by  Heni-y  J.  O'Rielly.  At  the  retire- 
ment of  Mr.  Van  Dyck  from  the  Newburgh  Telegraph,  in  the  winter  of 
1840,  Mr.  Pitts  assumed  the  management  of  that  paper,  which  he  con- 
tinued until  1850.  From  Newburgh,  Mr.  Pitts  removed  to  Pough- 
keepsie,  and  there  became  the  editor  of  the  Foughkeepsie  American. 
His  connection  with  the  j)ubhc  press  terminated  in  the  autumn  of 
1853;  and  he  soon  after  received  an  appointment  to  a  clerkship  in  the 
state  department  at  Washing-ton. 

In  liis  character  as  a  writer,  Mr.  Pitts  exhibited  much  originality 
and  ability,  maintaining  a  manly  independence,  and  at  the  same  time 
laboring  zealously  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  democratic  party, 
to  which  he  was  attached.  As  a  man,  he  was  the  soul  of  good-fel- 
lowship. In  the  social  circle  he  had  few  equals.  To  aflable  and 
pleasant  manners  and  fine  conversational  powers,  he  added  a  mind 
stored  with  a  fund  of  anecdote  as  well  as  useful  information,  which 
made  his  society  sought  after  and  appreciated.  He  was  kind-hearted 
and  generous.  The  appeal  of  charity  never  reached  his  ears  in  vain; 
while  personal  resentments  were  never  cherished  or  maintained — in  a 
word,  his  every-day  life  appeared  to  be  the  reflex  of  a  heai-t  filled  with 
noble  and  generous  impulses.  In  person,  he  was  about  five  feet  three 
inches,  with  a  small  but  well-proportioned  body ;  head  large  and  well- 
developed;  eyes  black  and  full;  hair  naturally  black  but  prematui'ely 
silvered.  He  married  first,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Jamison,  of 
Newbui-gh,  by  whom  he  had  Mary  E.,  and  John  M.;  and  second, 
Margaret,  daughter  of  John  Whited.  He  died  in  Washington,  July 
21,  1864,  fi'om  typhoid  fever,  at  the  age  of  44  years. 


414  mSTOBY  OF  NEWBUHGH. 


CONCLUSION. 

The  writer  of  this  volmne  has  looked  in  Viiiu  for  a  point  in  its  con- 
cluding chapter  where  he  could  say,  "It  is  tinislied."  without  omiting 
many  biographical  sketches  of  pereons  as  worthy  of  specific  rei-ord 
as  juiy  that  have  been  given;  but  the  work  having  jih-eady  greatly 
exceeded  the  limit  assigned  to  it,  he  has  been  obliged  to  bring  it  to 
a  coni'lusion.  Embraced  in  the  necessary  omissions  to  which  refer- 
ence is  made  fU'c  sketches  of  the  late  Hons.  Thomas  ^NLcKissock  and 
John  "NV.  Brown,  who  were  alike  distinguished  for  their  legjil  abilities 
and  then-  iutiuence  in  the  councils  of  the  people ;  the  late  Chancey  M. 
Leonard,  at  the  time  of  his  death  mayor  of  the  city;  the  late  Chaiies 
"NV.  Tice.  the  associate  of  tlie  w^iter  in  the  tii-st  pubhcation  of  the 
History"  of  Newburgh,  and  whose  character  Jis  an  ariist  is  slirined  in 
many  household  paintings;  and  Jolm  DeWitt,  under  whose  inspira- 
tion eiU'ly  commerciiil  aveniies  were  opened.  lu  these  sis  in  dther 
cases,  however,  the  generjd  record  is  c-omplete,  and  frcmi  it  specific 
deductions  can  readily  be  made  showing  theii*  intlueni-e  jind  tlie  es- 
teem in  which  they  were  held  by  their  contemporaiies. 

Submitting  this  volume  to  the  public — the  woi-k  of  his  leisiu-e 
horn's — the  offspring  of  a  conviction  that  worthy  men  axe  entitled  to  a 
remembrtmce  beyond  that  which  may  be  cai-ved  upon  perishable  mar- 
ble, and  that  in  proportion  as  the  desii-e  for  that  remembrance  is  cul- 
tivated active  membei-s  of  communities  will  become  liigher  and  nobler 
in  aU  theii-  ambitiims — the  writer  is  contident  that  whatever  imper- 
fections may  be  found  in  it  wiU  not  be  charged  as  imperfections  of 
intent,  but  tliat  it  will  be  accepted  in  the  spirit  in  wliich  it  has  been 
written,  and  stand  as  a  monument  to  the  people  generally  with  whom 
he  has  been  jissociated  dui-ing  the  greater  pai-t  of  his  life,  and  as  a 
specific  memorial  of  many  Avho,  active  in  their  day  and  generation, 
have  passed  into  the  great  hereafter. 


Ippenbise. 


TOWN  SUPERVISORS. 


1763 

1764 

1765 

1766 

1767 

1768 

1769-71 

1772 

1773 

1774 

1775 

1776 

1777-80 

1781-86 

1787-«8 

1789 

1790-91 

1792-95 


186(i 


1867 


1868 


1869 


Jonathan  Hasbrouck  1796-07 
Lewis  DuBois  1808 

John  Wandal  1809-10 

Benjamin  Carpenter "1811 
Lewis  DuBois  1812-18 

Edward  Hallock  1819-20 

Latting  Carpenter       1822 
Jonathan  Hasbrouck  1823 
John  FlewuflUng       1821-31 
Samuel  Fowler  1832-33 

Wolvert  Ecker.  1834 

Morris  Flewwelling    1835-36 
Wolvert  Ecker  1837 

Thomas  Palmer  1838 

John  Robins.ou  1839 

Isaac  Fowler,  Jr.         1840-44 
John  Robinson  1842 

Isaac  Fowler  1843-46 


Reuben  Tooker  1847-49 

Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.  1850 

William  Ross  1851 

Jonathan  Fisk  1852 

Leonard  Smith  1853 

Daniel  Tooker  1854 

Leonard  Smith  1855 

William  Wear,  Jr.  1856 

William  Walsh  1857 

Robert  Lawson  1858 

William  Walsli  1859-60 

James  G.  Clinton  1861-63 

Daniel  Tooker  1864 

David  W.  Bate  1865 

Jackson  Oaklev  1866 

David  W.  Bat«  1867-70 

John  W.  Brown  1871-76 
David  W.  Bate 


Odell  S.  Hathaway 
Enoch  -Carter 
Odell  S.  Hathaway 
Enoch  Carter 
Samuel  J.  Farnum 
Henry  Walsh 
Stephen  W.  FuUerton 
Odell  S.  Hathaway 
Albert  Noe 
Enoch  Carter 
Albert  Noe 
Odell  S.  Hathaway 
William  H.  Beede 
Geo.  W.  Underbill 
C.  Gilbert  Fowler 
Nathaniel  Barnes,  Jr. 
John  W.  Bushfield 


CITY  SUPERVISORS. 

James  R.  Dickson 

1870 

Patrick  Brennan 

1874 

Patrick  Brennan 

Ezra  Farrington 

George  Lawson 

Andrew  Johnson 

John  C.  Adams 

James  B.  Beveridge 

Daniel  S.  Waring 

J<icK»ou  Oakley 

Lewis  C.  Vernol 

John  Miller 

Chancey  M.  Ijeonard 

1871 

Patrick  Brennan 

1875 

Patrick  Brennan 

Ezra  Farrington 

George  Lawson, 

H.  M.  Hirschberg 

James  E.  Horton 

Alexander  Cauldwell 

Daniel  S.  W'aring 

Jackson  Oaklev 

Jackson  Oakley 

John  Miller 

James  R.  Dickson 

1872 

Patrick  Brennan 

187() 

Patrick  Brennan 

Ezra  Farrington 

Andrew  Johnson 

Jacob  Tremper* 

James  E.  Horton 

Daniel  S.  Waring 

Daniel  S.  Waring 

Jackson  Oakley 

Jackson  Oakley 

John  Miller 

Patrick  Brennau 

1873 

Patrick  Brennan 

George  Lawson 

Andrew  Johnson 

*  Died.    Genl.  W.  R.  Brown 

James  B.  Bevendge 

Isaac  C.  Chapman 

appointed. 

Lewis  C.  Vernol 

David  D.  Leon 

(COMMISSIONERS  OF  ALMS-HOUSE. 

Under  the  Act  "for  the  better  support  of  the  poor  of  tlie  Town  of  Newburgh,"  passed 

March  23,  1853,  and  the  Act  incorporating  the  City  of  Newburgh,  passed  April  22, 1865. 

1853— David  W.  Bate,  President.  David  H.  Barclay,  Thomas  H.  Roe,  C.  F.  Belknap, 
S.  W.  FuUerton,  L.  B.  Gregory.    W.  C.  Miller,  Superintendent— (served  until  1867). 

1854— David  W.  Bate,  President.  Henry  Wyckoflf,  David  H.  Barclay.  S.  W.  FuUerton, 
E.  A.  Brewster,  Alfred  Post. 

18.55— Henrv  Wvckofl',  President.  David  H.  Barclay,  Thomas  H.  Roe,  C.  F.  Belknap. 
S.  W.  FuUerton,  L.  B.  Gregoi-y. 

1856— C.  F.  Belknap,  President.  Thos.  H.  Roe,  L.  B.  Gregory,  S.  W.  FuUerton,  Isaac 
Wood,  Sr. 

1857 — Thomas  H.  Roe,  President.  Oliver  Belknap,  L.  B.  Gregory,  Enoch  Carter, 
Isaac  Wood,  Sr. 

1858— Thomas  George,  President.  Enoch  Carter,  James  Belknap,  Isaac  Wood,  Sr., 
•lames  H.  Mallery,  Oliver  Belknap. 

1859— Thomas  George,  President.  Oliver  Belknap,  James  Belknap,  Enoch  Carter, 
George  C.  Spencer,  Wm.  H.  Beede. 

I860 — Thomas  George,  President.  James  Belknap,  George  C.  Spencer,  Wm.  H.  Beede, 
Enoch  Carter,  Cbas.  S.  Lockwood. 

1861— Thomas  George,  President.  Enoch  Carter,  Wm.  H.  Beede,  George  C.  Spencer, 
Chas.  S.  Lockwood,  Ezra  Farrington. 


41  fi  APPENDIX. 


1862— Thomas  George,  rivsideut.  Enoch  Cart*>r,  Ezra  Farriugtou,  Chas.  S.  lA)ck- 
wood,  Wm.  H.  Beedc,  David  E.  Fowler. 

18(;3— Thomas  George,  Enoch  Carter,  Ezra  Farringtou,  Chas.  S.  Lockwood,  William  H. 
Beede,  Da\'id  E.  Fowler. 

18(U— Thomas  G(>t)rge,  Enoch  Carter,  George  Clark,  (.has.  S.  Lockwood,  Ezra  Farring- 
ton,  Wilham  H.  Beede. 

1865— Chas.  S.  Lockwood,  Ezra  Farrington,  Thomas  George,  George  Clark,  Enoch 
Carter,  Wm.  H.  Beedc. 

18(Ui— Ezra  Farrington,  Thomas  George,  George  CliU-k,  Enoch  Carter,  John  Little, 
Chaueey  M.  Leonard. 

18()7— Ezra  Farrington,  Thos.  treorge,  John  Little,  Chaneey  M.  Leonard — City;  John 
S.  Burdy,  I.  Belknap— Town.     L.  I.  W>Tians,  Snperintendent." 

1868— CorneUns  McLean,  Wm.  C.  Noble,  Ezra  Farrington,  Wm.  L.  F.  Warren — CHty; 
John  8.  Purdv,  Wm.  H.  Beede— Town.     ^lacLeod  Rogers,  Superintendent. 

1869- Cornelius  McLean.  William  C.  Noble,  Ezra  Farrington,  W.  L.  F.  Wairen— City; 
John  H.  Bond,  John  S.  Purdy — Tow^l. 

1870— Ezra  Farrington,  Enoch  Carter,  Cornelius  McLean.  Wm.  L.  F.  Warren— City; 
John  H.  Bond.  John  S.  Purdy — Town. 

1871— Enoch  Carter,  Cornelius  McLean.  Wm.  E.  Smiley,  L.  B.  Halsey— City;  John  H. 
Bond,  John  S.  Purdy— Town. 

1872— WiUiam  E.  Smiley,  David  F.  B.  Cai'son,  Cornelius  McLean,  L.  B.  Halsey — City  : 
John  H.  Bond,  John  S.  Purdy — Town. 

1873— Da^id  Carson,  President.  L.  B.  Halsey,  Cornelius  McLean,  Wm.  E.  Smiley — 
City;  John  H.  Bond,  Wm.  D.  Barns,  Jr. — Town."   Wm.  H.  June,  Superintendent. 

1874-Tlios.  S.  McMles,  Dand  Carson,  John  L.  Sloat,  Gavin  R.  McGregor— Citv;  John 
H.  Bond  Wm.  D.  Barns-Town. 

1875— Thomas  S.  Me.\lles,  President,  Da^id  Cai'son,  John  L.  Sloat,  Gavin  R.  Mc- 
Gregor—Citv  ;  John  Birdsall,  Wm.  D.  Barns — Town. 

1876— Thos.  S.  Mc.\lles,*  President.  John  L.  Sloat,  Thos.  J.  Banuon,  Gavin  R.  Mc- 
Gregor-City ;  John  Bu-dsall,  Wm.  D.  Barns — Town. 

VILLAGE  AND  CITY  OFFICERS. 

BOAKD   t>F   TIU'STEES. 

1804— Hugh  Walsh,  George  Monell,  Jacob  Powell,  William  H.  Smith,  Hugh  Spier,  John 
Mandevill,  Solomon  Sleight.     Geo.  MoneU,  President.:}: 

1805-  George  MoneU,  Chas.  Clinton,  Hugh  Walsh,  Hugh  Spier,  Jacob  Powell,  Solo- 
mon Sleiurht.  John  Mandevill.     Geo.  Monell,  President. 

1806 — Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.,  Leonard  Cai-jjenter,  John  Mande\'ill,  Saml.  Downing,  John 
Anderson,  Jr.,  Jona.  Hedges,  Alex.  Denniston.  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.,  President.  Chas, 
CUnton,  Clerk. 

1807— Hiram  Weller,  George  Monell,  Jacob  Pov.ell,  John  McAuley,  Daniel  Stringham. 
Hugh  Spier,  William  Tavlor.     Creo.  Monell.  President.     William  Tavlor,  Clerk. 

1808— George  Monell,"  Hiram  Weller,  John  :McAuley,  WiUiam  Taylor,  Jacob  PoweU, 
Daniel  Stringham,  Hugh  Spier.     Geo.  MoneU,  President.     Wm.  Taylor.  Clerk. 

1809 — .Tacob  PoweU,  Edmund  Griswold,  Jona.  Hedges,  Hugh  Spier,  Selah  Reeve,  Geo. 
Monell,  WiUiam  Ross.    George  Monell,  President.     Wm.  Ross,  Clerk. 

1810— Jacob  PoweU.  Solah"  Reeve,  Jonathan  Fisk,  John  D.  Lawson,  John  Mandevill. 
James  Hamiitcm,  John  Chambers.     James  Hamilton .  President,     .\aron  Belknap,  Clerk. 

1811— Jacob  Powell,  George  Monell,  Seth  Belkna'o  Jonathan  Fisk,  Isaac  Belknap,  Jr.. 
WiUiam  H.  Smith,  John  Chambers.    Jonathan  Fisk,  President.     Aaron  Belknap,  Clerk. 

1812— Jonathan  Fisk,  Seth  Belknap,  Jacob  PoweU,  George  MoneU,  John  Chambers, 
John  Harris,  Cadwallader  Roe.     Jcmathan  Fisk,  President.     Aaron  Belknap,  Clerk. 

1813 — Walter  Case.  Jacob  Powell,  John  Harris,  John  Chambers.  Leonard  Carpenter, 
James  Hamilton.  John  D.  Lawson.    Walter  Case,  President.     Aaron  Belknap,  Clerk. 

1814— \S'alter  Case,  Jacob  PoweU,  John  Chambers,  John  D.  Lawson,  John  Harris, 
Leonard  Carpenter.  WilUam  Ross.     Walter  Case,  President.    Aaron  BeUiuap,  Clark. 

1815 — Walter  Case,  Jacob  PoweU,  John  Chambers.  John  Harris,  John  D.  Lawson, 
Leonard  Carpenter,  Solomon  Sleight.     Walter  Case,  President.     David  W.  Bate,  Clerk. 

1816— Isaac  Belknap.  Francis  Cra^\iord.  John  Anderson,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Carter,  Levi 
Dodge,  Samuel  Downing.  Heurv  Walsh.  Francis  Crawford.  President.  Nathan  C. 
SajTe,  Clerk. 

1817— Francis  Cra^vtord,  Thos.  PhiUips,  Jr..  Benoui  H.  HoweU,§  Isaac  Belknap,  John 
Anderson.  Jr.,  WiUiam  Walsh,  Samuel  Downing.  Francis  Crawford,  President.  M.  R. 
Griswold,  Clerk. 

1818— Francis  Crawford,  Tlmmas  PhUlips,  Jr.,  Benj.  Case,  .Jr.,  Selah  Reeve,  William  L. 
Smith,  Jacob  Carpenter,  Jona.  Hedi^es.     Selah  Reeve,  Pres.     ^L  R.  Griswold.  Clerk.* 

1819— Selah  Reeve,  Thomas  PhiUips,  Jr.,  WUliam  L.  Smith,  Jonathan  Hedges,  Samuel 
Williams,  Wm.  Seymoiu-.  Isaac  Belknap.     Selah  Reeve,  Pi-es.     M.  R.  Griswold,  Clerk. 

1820— Selah  Reeve.  Isaac  BeUuiap,  Thos.  PhilUps,  Jr..  Samuel  WiUiams.  Jonathan 
Hedges,  Wm.  Sejmour,  Wm.  L.  Smith.     Selah  Reeve,  President.     M.  R.  Griswold,  Clerk. 

*  Died  in  December.    James  W.  Tayor  appointed  to  tiU  vacancy. 

+  Ante  p.  183.  *  §  Resigned,  but  resignation  not  accepted. 


APPENDIX.  417 


1821— Selali  Reeve,  Jonathan  HedgeH,  Samuel  Williams,  Thos.  Phillips,  Jr.,  Isaac 
Belknap,  Wm.  L.  Smith,  Francis  Crawford.     Selali  Reeve,  Prest.    John  W.  Brown.  Clerk. 

1822— Francis  Crawford,  Samuel  Williams,  Isaac  Belknap,  Thus.  Phillips,  Jr.,  Wm.  L. 
Smith,  AlcM.  Falls,  Jonathan  Hedges.    Francis  Crawford,  Prest.     John  W.  Brown,  Clerk. 

1823— Francis  (Crawford,  Isaac  Belknap,  Wm.  L.  Smith,  Saml.  Williams,  Thos.  Phil- 
lips, Jr.,  John  Forsyth,  Alex.  F.alls.    Francis  Crawford,  President.    .Tohn  W.  Brown, Clerk. 

1824— Francis  Ci-awford,  Samuel  Williams.  Isaac  Belknap,  Wm.  L.  Smith,  Thos.  Phil- 
U;)s,  Jr.,  John  Forsvth,  Alex.  Falls.     Francis  Crawford,  President.    John  W.  Brown,  Clerk. 

1825— Francis  Crawford,  President;  Isaac  Belknap,  John  Forsyth,  Sanniel  Williams, 
Thomas  Phillips,  jr.,  William  L.  Smitli,  William  Walsh.     John  W.  Brown,  Clerk. 

1826 — William  Walsh,  Samuel  Williams,  .Tohn  Forsyth,  John  Ledyard,  Robert  Lawson, 
Ward  M-  Gazlay,  Thomas  Pliillips,  Jr.     William  Walsh,  President.    Benj.  H.  Mace,  Clerk. 

1827 — WiUiaiii  Walsh,  Robert  Lawson,  Saml.  Williams,  John  Ledvard,  John  Forsyth, 
Thos.  Phillips,  Jr.,  Joseph  Hoffman.     William  Walsh,  President.     Benj.  H.  Mace,  Clerk. 

1828— William  Walsh,  Samuel  Williams,  Roi)ert  Lawson,  John  Ledyard,  John  Forsyth, 
Joseph  Hoffman,  Selah  Reeve.     Robert  Lawson,  President.     B.  H.  Mace,  Clerk. 

1829— Selah  Reeve,  Samuel  WilHams,  Jose])h  Hoffman,  WiUiam  Walsh,  John  Ledyard, 
David  Sands,  Samuel  G.  Snedeu.    Saml.  VVilliams,  President.     B.  H.  Maco,  Clerk. 

1830 — Jt)hn  Ledyard,  President;  Charles  A.  Johnes,  .Jackson  Oakley,  David  Sands, 
David  Crawford,  Rol)ert  Kelley,  Benjamin  Carpenter.   Wihiam  B.  Wright,  Clerk, 

1831 — Jackson  Oakley,  President ;  Robert  Lawson,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Samuel  Wil- 
liams, David  Crawford,  Aaron  Novcs,  Moses  H.  Belknap.  Alx.  C.  Mullinor,  Clerk,  (served 
until  1835.) 

18,32— Moses  H.  Belknap,  President;  Robert  Lawson,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Samuel 
Williams,  David  Crawford,  Aaron  Noyes,  Jackson  Oakley. 

1833— Moses  H.  Belknap,  President ;  Robijrt  Lawson,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Samuel 
WilUauis,  David  Crawford,  Aaron  Noyes,  Jackson  Oakley. 

1834— Moses  H.  Belknap,  President ;  Samuel  Williams,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Christo- 
pher Reeve,  David  Crawford,  Eli  Haslirouck,  Jackson  Oakley. 

1835 — John  Ledyard,  President;  Mmavd  Harris,  WilUam  C.  Hasbrouck,  Samuel  John- 
son, John  .Jamison,  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  Aaron  Noyes.  Horace  Armstrong,  Clerk,  (served 
until  1838.) 

1836 — John  Ledyard,  President ;  Minard  Harris,  William  C.  Hasbrouck,  Samuel  John- 
son, George  Reeve,  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  Aaron  Noyes. 

1837 — John  Ledyard,  President  ;  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  WiUiani  C.  Hasbrouck,  Benjamin 
Carpenter,  Jackson  Oakley,  David  Crawford,  Cliristopher  Reeve. 

1838 — Moses  H.  Belkna]),  President;  Sanuiel  J.  Farnum,  William  C.  Hasbrouck,  Benja- 
min Carpenter.  Jat^kson  Oakley,  Nathaniel  Dubois,  Robert  Lawson.  Solomon  Tuthill, 
Clerk,  (served  until  1841.) 

18.39— Moses  H.  Belknap,  President;  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  William  C.Hasbrouck  Odell 
S.  Hathaway,  Jackson  Oakley,  Nathaniel  Dubois,  Robert  Wardroi). 

1840— Moses  H.  Belknap,  President;  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  Thornton  M.  Niven,  Odell  8. 
Hathaway,  George  Cornwell,  Nathaniel  Dubois,  Robert  Wardrop. 

1841— Moses  H.  Bclkniuj,  President ;  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  Ebenezer  W.  Farrington,  Odell 
S.  Hathaway.  Benjamin  Carpenter,  Nathan'l  Dubois,  Benjamin  F.  Buckingham.  Jackson 
Oakley,  Clerk. 

1842— Minard  Harris,  President;  William  M.Wiley,  Joseph  Hoffman,  George  Reeve, 
William  K.  MaiUer,  Samuel  Johnson,  Alexander  Whig'am.     S.  C.  Parmenter,  Clerk. 

1843— Moses  H.  Belknap,  President ;  Samuel  J.  Farnum,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Benj.  Tyler, 
Jefferson  Roe,  Robert  D.  Kemp,  David  W.  Gridley.   Stejihen  B.  Brophy,  Clerk. 

1844— Moses  H.  Belknap,  President :  Benjamin  Tyler,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Ebenezer  W. 
Farrington,  Aikman  Spier,  Robert  D.  Kemj),  Homer  Ramsdell.  Jackson  Oakley,  Clerk, 
(served  until  1847.) 

1845— Samuel  J.  Farnum,  President ;  Lewis  W.  Young,  David  Crawford,  Robert  A.  For- 
syth, William  L.  F.  Warren,  Edmund  S.  Sanxay,  Homer  Ramsdell. 

1846— Samuel  J.  Farnum,  President ;  Lewis  W.  Young,  David  Crawford,  Robert  A.  For- 
syth, WiUiam  L.  F.  Warren,  Aikman  Spier,  Homer  Ramsdell. 

1847— Samuel  J.  Farnum,  President ;  Homer  Ramsdell,  David  Crawford,  Robert  A. 
Forsyth,  William  L.  F.  Warren,  Aikman  Spier,  Wm.  P.  C.  Smith.    Peter  F.  Hunn,  Clerk. 

1848— Samuel  J.  Farnum,  President ;  Homer  Ramsdell.  David  Crawford.  Robert  A.  For- 
syth, William  L.  F.  Warren,  Aikman  Spier,  Wm.  P.  C.  Smith.    David  C.  Ringland.  Clerk. 

1849— Samuel  J.  Farnum,  President ;  Homer  Ramsdell,  Lewis  W.  Young,  Robert  A. 
Forsyth,  William  L.  F.  Warren,  Lewis  D.  Lock  wood,  Eii  Hasbrouck,  Jackson  Oakley,  Clerk. 


*  The  following  singular  oath  was  taken  by  Griswokl  on  entering  upon  his  duties  : 
"I,  Marvin  R.  Griswold,  being  chosen  Clerk  of  the  Corporation  of  the  Village  of  New- 
burgh,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will  in  all  things,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge  and 
ability,  execute  and  perform  the  duties  enjoined  on  me,  and  that  I  will  not  chvulge  or 
make  pubhc  any  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Corporation  until  the  same  shall  be  published 
by  them  or  their  order;  nor  at  any  time  disclose  or  discover  the  votes  or  opinions  of 
any  member  of  the  said  body,  unless  requii-ed  to  give  evidence  thereof  in  a  Court  of 
Justice.  [Signed]  M.  R.  GRISWOLD. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  the  5th  day  of  May,  1818,  James  Hamilton. 

027 


418  APPENDIX. 


1850— Samuel  J.  Farnum,  President ;  Homer  Kamsdell,  Lewis  W.  Young,  Robert  A.  For- 
syth, Williym  L.  F.  Warroii,  Lewis  D.  Loekwood,  Eli  Hasbrouck.    Jackson  Oakley,  Clerk. 

1851— Samuel  J.  Farmim,  President ;  Minard  Harris,  Homer  Ramsdell,  Robert  Lawson, 
Henry  T.  McCoim,  Thornton  M.  Niven,  Eli  Hasbrouck.    Daniel  G.  Niven,  Clerk. 

1852— Ebenezer  W.  Farrington,  President ;  Robert  Lav/son,  Charles  Drake,  Geo.  Gearn, 
William  L.  F.  Warren,  John  R.  Gorham,  Eh  Hasbrouck.  Charles  Halstead,  jr.,  Clerk, 
(served  until  18fi4.) 

1853— Ebenezer  W.  Farrington,  President ;  Robert  Lawson,  SamuolJ.  Farnum,  Goorge 
Gearn,  William  L.  F.  Warren,  John  R.  Gorham,  Eli  Hasbrouck. 

1854— William  L.  F.  Warren,  President;  Samuel  B.  Gregory,  Franklin  Gerard,  James 
H.  Mallorv,  Edson  H.  Clark,  John  R.  Gorham,  Charles  .Tohnson. 

1855— William  L.  F.  Warren,  President ;  John  F.  Van  Nort,  Eh  Hasbrouck,  Edwin  T. 
Comstock,  William  E.  Peck,  Charles  H.  Doughty,  William  H.  Callahan. 

1856— William  L.  F.  Warren,  President ;  George  W.  Kerr,  Franklin  Gerard,  Edwin  T. 
Comstock,  James  H.  Mallory,  Isaac  Wood,  jr.,  Lewis  D.  Loekwood. 

1S57— William  L.  F.  Warren,  President;  Ebenezer  W.  Fari'ington,  Franklin  Gerard, 
Hals<  y  R.  Stevens,  Robert  Sterling,  George  Lawson,  Michael  Doyle. 

1858— William  L.  F.  Warren,  President ;  Ebenezer  W.  Farrington,  Edwin  T.  Comstock, 
Halsey  R.  Stevens,  Robert  Sterling,  George  Lawson,  Michael  Doyle. 

1859— William  L.  F.  Warren,  President ;  Ebenezer  W.  Farrington,  J.  H.  H.  Chapman, 
Halsey  R.  Stevens,  Robert  Sterling,  George  Lawson,  Michael  Doyle. 

1860— WiUiam  L.  F.  Warren,  President ;  Ebenezer  W.  Farrington,  J.  H.  H.  Chapman, 
George  C.  Spencer,  Robert  Sterling,  George  Lawson,  Michael  Doyle. 

1801 — H(mier  Ramsdell,  President ;  Robert  Sterling,  J.  H.  H.  Chapman,  Thomas  Bcvc- 
ridge,  John  Lomas,  George  Lawson,  Isaac  S.  Fowler. 

1862— Robert  SterHng,  President ;  Thomas  Beveridge,  J.  H.  H.  Chapman,  Homer  Rams- 
dell, John  Lomas,  Hugh  McCutcheon,  Isaac  S.  Fowler. 

1863— Robert  Sterling,  President ;  Thomas  Bevei-idge,  J.  H.  H.  Chapman,  Homer  Rams- 
dell, John  Lomas,  CorneHus  McLean,  Isaac  S.  Fowler. 

1864— William  L.  F.  Warren,  President ;  David  Moore,  Benjamin  B.  Odell,  James  Bigler, 
Chas.  Root,  Robert  A.  Forsyth,  Lewis  Jennings.    Clias.  B.  Royce,  Clerk,  (served  until  1866. ) 

1865—  David  Moore,  President ;  James  Bigler,  Benjamin  B.  Odell,  Alexander  Leslie, 
Charles  Root,  Edson  H.  Clark,  Jacob  Brown. 


MAYORS   AND   COMMON   COUNCIL. 

1866 — Mayor — George  Clark  ;  Aldermen — First  Ward,  Daniel  A.  Rheutan,  John  Lomas; 
Second  Ward,  Henry  Ross,  John  Corwin  ;  Third  Ward,  Edaon  H.  Olavk,  I^onj.  B.  OcloU  ; 
Fourth  Ward,  Ja.mes  Bigler,  James  Wliitehill.     Chas.  B.  Royccs  Clerk,  (served  until  1872.) 

1867— Mayor— G«orgo"  Clark  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  Daniel  A.  Rheutan,  George  M. 
Clapp  ;  Second  Ward,  Henry  Ross,  James  H.  Phillips  ;  Third  Ward,  Edson  H.  Clark,  Chas. 
Root ;  Fourth  Ward,  James  Bigler,  David  Moore. 

1868— Mayor— George  Clark  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  G.  M.  Clapp,  Alexander  McCann ; 
Second  Ward,  James  H.  Phillips,  WiUiam  R.  Brown  ;  Third  Ward,  Charles  Root,  Jonathan 
N.  Weed  ;  Fourth  Ward,  David  Moore,  Abram  S.  Cassedy. 

1869— Mayor- George  Clark;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  Alexander  McCann,  Gavin  R. 
McGregor;"  Second  Ward,  William  R.  Brown,  Francis  Boyd  ;  Third  Ward,  Jonathan  N. 
Weed,  J.  J.  S.  McCroskery  ;  Fourth  Ward,  ^Viex.  Cauldweli,  Jacob  Brown. 

1870— Mayor— Robert  Sterling.  (Dec'd.)  Alexander  McCann,  Presiding  Officer  and 
Acting  Mayor  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  Alexander  McCann,  Gavin  R.  McGregor  ;  Second 
Ward,  Elkanah  K.  Shaw,  Francis  Boyd ;  Third  Ward,  Charles  Root,  J.  J.  S.  McCroskery  ; 
Fourth  Ward,  Alex.  Cauldweli,  James  T.  Lawson.  Orville  M.  Smith,  Clerk,  (served  un- 
till872.) 

1871— Mavor,  William  W.  Carson  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  Alexander  McCann,  William 
Doyle  ;  Second  Ward,  Elkanah  K.  Shaw,  Robert  Whitchill ;  Third  Ward,  Charles  Root, 
J.  J.  S.  McCroskerv  ;  Fourth  Ward,  Nathaniel  B.  Havl,  James  T.  Lav/son. 

1872— Mayor— Samuel  E.  Shutos  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  Joseph  M.  Dickey,  William 
Doyle  ;  Second  Ward,  Henry  F.  Travis,  Robert  Wliitehill ;  Third  Ward,  Edward  Haigh, 
J.  J.  S.  McCroskery;  Fourth  Ward,  Nathaniel  B.  Hayt,  Robert  Kernahan.  Daniel  J. 
Coutant,  Clerk,  (1877.) 

1873— Mayor,  Samuel  E.  Shutes  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  Joseph  M.  Dickey,  William 
Doyle;  Second  Ward,  Henry  F.  Travis,  Wilham  Cameron;  Third  Ward,  Edward  Haigh, 
John  C.  Adams  ;  Fourth  Ward,  Nathaniel  B.  Hayt,  Robert  Kernahan. 

1874— Mayor— Chancey  M.  Leonard*  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  Wilham  Doyle,  Hugh 
Hamilton  ;  Second  AVard,  William  F.  Cameron,  John  Dotzert ;  Third  Ward,  John  C.  Adams, 
Grant  E.  Edgar  ;  Fourth  Ward,  Nathaniel  B.  Hayt,  Lewis  B.  Halsey. 

1875-76— Mayor— John  J.  S.  McCroskery  ;  Aldermen— First  Ward,  WiUiam  Doyle,  Hugh 
Hannlton ;  Second  Ward,  WiUiam  F.  Cameron,  John  Dotzert ;  Third  Ward,  John  C.  Ad- 
ams, Grant  E.  Edgar ;  Fourth  Ward,  Noah  Collard,  Richard  Sterling. 


*  Mayor  Leonaed  having  died  on  tho  3d  of  December,  1874,  the  President  of  the  Com- 
mon CouncU,  N.  B.  Hayt,  became  Acting  Mayor,  in  accordance  with  provision  of  the 
City  Charter. 


APPENDIX. 


419 


MEMBEES  OF  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION. 


Alsdorf,  Egbert 
Bevridge,  John 
Bevridge,  Tliomas 
Brewster,  E.  A. 

18G7-68- 
Brown,  Rev.  John 
Brown,  Jacob 
Callahan,  W.  H. 
Case,  Robert  L. 
Cassedy,  A.  S. 
Clapp,  George  M. 
Clark,  George 
Corwn,  John 
Cnlbert,  Dr.  W.  A.  M. 
Dickson,  James  R. 
Ely,  Dr.  Smith 
Estabrook,  Chas. 
Forsyth,  Rev.  John 


1862-65 
1852-57 
1858-60 
1858-63 
■1873-77 
1852-58 
1855 
1861 
1874-77 
1875-77 
1865 
1858-60 
1864-72 
1855-57 
1857-59 
1876-77 
1864-72 
1853-77 


Gearn,  W.  W.  1876-77 

George,  Thomas  1859-61 

Gregory,  L.  B.  1852-54 

Haines;  P.  S.  1867-70 

Hirschberg,  M.  H.  1871-77 
Jones,  Nathaniel  1852-56 
Johnes,  Edward  R.  1861-63 
Kerr,  George  W.  1852-54 
Kimball,  Thos.  1864-67,  1873 
Lawson,  John  K.  1858-61 
Leonard,  D.  GilUs  1852-57 
1860-62,  1864 
Leonard,  ChanceyM.  1869-71 
Lewis,  John  N.  1870-72 

Martin,  Cyrus  B.  1868-73 

McCntcheon,  Hngh     1863-66 


Moore,  B.  B. 
Monell,  J.  J.       1852- 
Peck,  William  E. 
Reeve,  Charles  F.  V. 
Reilly,  John 
Ring,  Thomas  C. 
Rogers,  Daniel  T. 

Ruttenber,  E.  M. 

Smith,  Orville  M. 

Thayer,  John  S. 
Ward,  Peter 
Williams,  Samuel 
Wilson,  Nicholas 


1872-75 
54,  1865 
1862  (14 

1852 
1872-75 
1852-57 
1866-72 
1875-77 
1857- ». 4 
186t;-69 
1856-57 
1850-64 

1855 
1S61  66 
1856-58 
1867-74 


Merritt,  Theodore 


1868-69  I 
1870  i 


President— John  Bevridge,  1852-57 ;  John  Forsyth,  1858-77. 
.    Clerk  -Nathl.  Jones,  1852-57  ;  Hugh  S.  Banks,  1852-59  ;  Dr.  R.  V.  K.  Montfort,  1859-63, 
1872-76  :  E.  M.  Ruttenber,  1863-64  ;  Hiram  A.  Jones,  1864-72. 


WATER  COMMISSIONERS. 

With  the  exception  of  tlie  Commissioners  appointed  for  the  construction  of  the  Water- 
woi-ks,  the  duties  of  Water  Commissioners  were  discharged  by  the  Board  of  Trustees 
until  the  adoption  of  the  City  charter,  since  which  time  the  following  persons  have  been 
members  of  the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners : 


George  Clark,  1866-71 

Francis  Scott,  1866-71 

J.  D.  Shafer,  1866-69 

Robert  Sterling,  1869 

C.  M.  Leonard,  1869-72 

Wm.  Wyekoff,  1869-72 

Superintendent 


John  F.  Van  Nort,  1870-75 

Franklin  Gerard,  1871-75 

Timothy  Towusend,  1871-75 

Wm.  W.  Carson,  1872-77 

Sanil.  G.  Kimball,  1872-77 

J.  H.  H.  Chapman,  1875-77 


E.  K.  Shaw, 
L.  M.  Smith, 
Chas.  Root, 
H.  B.  Beckman, 


1875-76 

1875-76 
1876-77 
1876-77 


D.  T.  Rogers,  1866  ;  Leauder  Clark,  Jr. 
70  ;  ChiCb.  B.  Eoyce,  1870-73 ;  E.  C.  Boynton,  1873-77. 


1866-69  ;  N.  W.  Allard,  1869- 


SEALS  OF  THE  VILLAGE  AND  CITY  OF  NEWBURGH. 

The  first  seal  in  use  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  one  previously  obtained  by  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  lire  Department.  It  had  for  its 
design  a  figure  of  Justice,  encircled  with  the 
words,  "  Seal  of  the  Trustees  of  Newburgh." 
The  second  seal  was  adopted  June  7,  1819. 
It  is  described  by  Mr.  William  Rolliuson,  of 
New  York,  by  whoin  it  was  engraved,  as  fol- 
lows :  "  The  figure  is  a  representation  of  the 
Deity  of  the  Hudson,  or  a  River  God  (Aqua- 
rius, the  water-bearer, )  according  to  Heathen 
Mythology,  pouting  forth  the  river  from  his 
m-n,  and  bearing  in  his  right  hand  an  antique 
Rudder  of  a  vessel,  as  an  emblem  of  the  ex- 
tensive navigation  and  commerce  of  the  river; 
and  the  Hudson  is  designated  by  the  arms  of 
the  State  of  New  York  being  blazoned  upon 
the  rudder — which  I  believe  corresponds  with 
the  idea  communicated  to  me.''  This  descrip- 
tion is  rather  crude,  but  it  was  approved  by 
the  Board  and  entered  upon  its  minutes. 

The  seal  of  the  City  of  Newburgh  was  adop- 
ted in  18C6,  and  is  shown  by  tlu^  accompany- 
ing engraving. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 

1609  — Mahicanituk  river  discovered  by  Hudson. 

1652— Hostilities  commenced  by  Esopus  Indians. 

1660-First  Esopus  (or  Imlian)War. 

1663— Second  Esopus  War. 

1683— Original  County  of  Orange  organized. 


420  APPENDIX. 

1684— First  settlement  in  the  present  County  of  Orange  by  Scotch  immigrants  at  Plum 
Poiut,  in  New  Windsor. 

1684_Lands  extending  from  the  Paltz  to  Stony  Point  purchased  from  the  Indians  by 
Gov.  Dongan. 

1690— Second  settlement  in  the  present  County  of  Orange  by  William  Tietsort  in  the 
town  of  Deerpark. 

l(5t)4._Lauds  purchased  by  Gov.  Dongan  patented  to  Capt.  John  Evans  under  the  title 
of  "  Manor  of  Fletclierdon." 

lG99~Evans'  Patent  vacated  by  an  Act  of  the  Assembly. 

1709— Third  settlement  in  the  present  County  of  Orange  by  Palatine  immigrants  on  the 
site  of  the  City  of  Newburgh. 

1710— Precinct  of  the  Highlands  established  by  an  order  of  Court  of  Sessions  of  Ulster 
county,  as  a  Court  district. 

1712-14 — Settlement  of  Wawayanda  Patent  at  Goshen,  Warwick  and  Gray-court. 

1719-  Lands  at  Quassaick  creek  jjatented  to  Pnlatine  immigrants — including  a  Glebe  of 
500  acres  for  the  support  of  a  Lutheran  minister ;  settlement  designated,  "  The  Palatine 
Parish  by  Quassaick.' 

1725 — First  Presbyterian  church  in  present  County  erected  at  Goshen. 

1733—  First  Church  erected  in  Newburgh  by  Lutherans. 

1743 — Newburgh  Plot  laid  out  by  Alexander  Colden :  First  application  of  the  name  of 
Newburgh  to  the  present  Citj'. 

1743 — The  Precinct  of  Goshen  erected. 

1743 — FeiTy  established  at  Newburgh  by  charter  to  Alexander  Colden. 

1744— Preciuct  of  the  Highlands  erected  by  an  Act  of  the  Assembly,  and  Supervisor 
and  other  officers  elected. 

1747— Members  of  the  Church  of  England  elected  Trustees  of  Glebe,  and  the  Church 
edifice  closed  against  the  Lutheran  minister. 

1752— First  Patent  for  Glebe  surrendered  and  the  Second  Patent  issued,  confirming  in- 
come of  Glebe  to  Church  of  England  :  Settlement  designated,  "  The  Parish  of  Newburgh.'' 

1763— Precinct  of  Highlands  divided,  and  the  Precinct  of  Newburgh  and  the  Precinct 
of  New  Windsor  erected  therefrom. 

1769— Seventeen  buildings  on  the  site  of  the  present  City  of  Newburgh. 

1772 — Precinct  of  Newburgh  divided  and  the  Precinct  of  Newburgh  and  the  Precinct 
of  New  Marlborough  erected. 

1775— Committees  of  Safety  appointed  in  the  Precincts  of  the  County. 

1~79 — Washington's  Head-quarters  established  at  Ellison  house,  New  Windsor. 

1782 —Washington's  Hoad-iiuarteni  established  at  Newburgh. 

1783— Army  disbanded. 

1788— The  Towns  of  Newburgh,  Cornwall,  Goshen,  Warwick,  Miunisink,  New  Windsor, 
Wallkill,  and  Montgomery,  erc^cted  by  general  Act. 

1794— Presbyterians  elected  Trustees  of  Glebe :  Organization  of  St.  George's  Church 
broken  up  by  the  Kevolution. 

1795— First  newspaper,  "  The  Newburgh  Packet,"  printed. 

1796— Newburgh  Post-office  estabHshed. 

1798-The  present  County  of  Orange  erected. 

1800— The  Village  of  Newburgh  incorporated. 

1805— Glebe  charter  amended,  and  income  apphed  to  the  support  of  Schools. 

1866— The  City  of  Newburgh  incorporated. 


ERRATA. 

While  the  greatest  care  has  been  taken  to  prevent  the  admission  of  any  erroneous  state- 
ment or  date,  it  is  possible  that  in  reviewing  so  many  subjects  as  are  embraced  in  this 
volume,  errors  have  not  been  wholly  avoided.  When  it  is  remembered  that  it  has  been 
found  necessary  to  correct  every  history  that  has  been  written  and  every  map  that  has 
been  printed  ;  that  traditions  have  been  found  at  wde  variance  with  established  records  ; 
that  several  thousand  names  and  dates  have  been  recorded— a  claim  of  entire  accuracy 
would  be  presumptuous.  The  reader,  if  better  informed  than  the  writer,  will  please  cor- 
rect whatever  may  be  found  amiss  in  the  respects  referred  to  as  well  as  in  orthography. 


ieneral  Strbe^r. 


:!HAPTER   I p.5 

History  of  Orange  County— In 
tlie  Be?innin<; — Aboriginal  Era 
—The  Wars  tor  Possession— 1492, 
1664. 

,'H AFTER  II p  16 

History  of  Orange  County— Alj- 
original  Deeds— Land  Patents — 
First  .Settlements— 16(U,  1709. 

"HAPTER  III p.29 

History  of  Orange  County— Civil 
Uoveninient  —  Organization  of 
Counties.  Precincts  and  Towns 
—Courts and  ('onrt  Houses— Co- 
lonial Politics— 1683,  1798. 

mAPTER  IV p.49 

History  of  Orange  (bounty— Lo- 
cation—Physiology—  (ieographi- 
cal  Nonienclature--Cliniate— Ge- 
ology— Soils,  etc.  I 

;hapter  V p.80 

HLstory  of  Orange  (!ountv— The 
French  and  Indian  War— War  of 
tlie  Revolution— Wars  of  the  Re- 
puljlic. 

'HAPTER  VI p.95' 

1  History  of  Orange  County- .Tu- 

V-borginal  Era.  7: 

Indian  Tribes.  9 

Deeds,  19,20,21,23,241 

War  Cry,  11' 

"        War— First,  11 

"  W-irs — Rsf>r.no_  la 

Inilian  Names — Sginiflcfltion  of 


68 
66 
53 
66 
67 
65 
65 
55 
51 
56 
69,205 
54 
10 
53 
63 
17 
55,69 

162,340 
102 

129,168 
103 


186,193,232 


dicial  History— Public  Buildings 
—  Civil  Administration  —  Town 
Boundaries— General  Summary. 

CHAPTER  VII p.lll 

History  ot  Newburgh— The  Sec- 
ond Patents-The  Palatine  Pari.sh 
by  Quassaicli. 

CHAPTER  VIII p. 125 

The  Parish  of  Xewburgh— Set- 
tlement of  Adjoining  Patents- 
Precinct  Officers— Revolutionary 
Events— The  Town  of  Newburgh 
—The  (ilebe  in  the  hands  of  the 
people— The  Village  of  Newburgh 
—Infidelity— Recollections. 

CHAPTER  IX p.l83 

Village  of  Newburgh— Amended 
Glebe  Charter- Second  War  with 
England— War  of  the  Rebellion- 
Business  Review— General  Sum- 
mary. 

CHAPTER  X p.  205 

Newburgh  Localities— Census  Re- 
turns-Support of  Poor  — Turn- 
pikes and  I'lank  Roads  — Rail- 
road Enterpri.ses— Banking  In-i 
stitutions— Incorporated  Compa-i 


Arackhook, 

Assawaghkemeck, 

General  Explanation, 

Hasdisch, 

Long  House, 

Minnising, 

MongavTi)ing, 

Muehattoe:', 

Navesing, 

Pochuck, 

Quassaick, 

Scliuncniunk, 

Seepu, 

Shawangunk, 

Woerawin, 

Kalianksen  Castle, 

^laringoman's  Castle, 

cademy,  Xewburgli 

igriculturai  Products, 

Liljertson's  Tavern, 

nierican  Star, 

anking  Institutions. 

Bank  of  Newburgh 

Branch  Bank  of  Newburgh,    232 

Bank  of  Orange  Countv,  193 

Bank  of  United  States,"  193 

Bank  Suspensions,  236 

Highland  Bank,  192,2315 

Newburgh  Savings  Bank,        235 

Powell  Bank,  194,196,234 

Quassaick  Bank,  235 

;aln\ville,  (see  Localities) 

aim  of  Gilead  Tree,  182,206 

;.irges  and  Propellers,  249 

j.eacon  Fires,  89,190 

rpeiV.nap's  Ridge,  (see  Localities) 

illinii;s  Anthem,Independence  154 

ills  of  Credit,  158 

iograpb>aI  and  Genealogical 

Acker,  V\  .Alvert  373 

Albertsou,  f  iciiard  356 

Belknap  Kani'Jy,  357 

,Bird.sall  Faniilj  368 

IBowmaii,  PhinebS  390 

Brown,  Bev.  Johu  403 

^prr.wr   .t.<hp  5^89 


Carter  Family, 

Golden,  Alexander 
CrawtVrd  Family. 
Cuslnuun,  Charles  V. 
DeGrnv"  P.-  ...u-  . 
i'"Wiiiug  J'amily. 
i'arringttin  Family, 
Fisk,  Jonathan 
Flewwelling  Family, 
Forsyth,  John 
Fowler  Family, 
Gardiner,  Rotiert 
Gazlay,  Ward  M. 
Gulch,  Melchior 
Hasbrouck  Family,    — 
Hotlman,  Zacharias 
Hoflfman,  Joseph 
Hutchins,  John  Nathan 
Innis  Famil}', 
Kockerlhal,  Joshua,  Rev. 
Leslie,  William 
Ludlow  Family, 
Mailler  Family, 
Merritt  F'amily, 
Meynders,  Burger 
Oakley  Famil.v, 
Parmenter,  Samuel 
Penny  Family, 
Pitts,"  Ellas 
Powell  I\imily, 
Purdy  Family. 
Ramsdcll  Famil3-, 
Reeve  Family, 
Roe  Family," 
Schultz  family, 
Seymour,  William 
Smith  Family, 
Shaw,  Thomas  and  John 
Spalding,  Johu  D. 
Storey,  Jonas 
Walsh  Brothers, 
Walsh,  Hugh 
Warren  Family, 
Weigand,  Michael 
Weygant,  Charles  H. 
Biographical  Notes. 
Adams,  Ebenezer 
Alexander,  James 
Armstrong,  Major  John  " 
Belknap,  Hezekiah 
Benedict,  E.  C. 
Bloomer,  Joseph 
Brcv 


384 
355 
.•595 

4t  I 

3US 
405 
391 
364 
394 
364 
387 
409 
354 
369 
355 
388 
375 
375 
3.53 
413 
399 
397 
363 
355 
397 
410 
374 
413 
401 
367 
403 
375 
371 
393 
377 
356 
409 
410 
392 
408 
381 
378 
351 
354 

339 
121 
149 
362 

3411 

181 1 


I  nies  — Supply  of  Water— New- 
1  burgh  Po.st-offlce  — Commercial 
Record— Newburgh  Ferry— Fire 
Department  —  Principal  Fires- 
Regatta  -As.sociation— Horticultu- 
ral Society- Mechanical  Indus- 
tries. 

CHAPTER  XI p.273 

The  Militia  prior  to  and  during 
the  Revolution— General  Organi- 
,     zation  and  Continental  Regim'ts 
J     —Militia  since  the  Revolution- 
Rebellion  Record. 

CHAPTER  XII p.289 

Newtiurgh  Churches — Religious 
I  and  Literary  Societie.s— Schools 
!  —Newspapers  — Benevolent  So- 
!     cieties,  Ac. 

CHAPTER  XIII p.3.53 

Biographical  and  Genealogical 
Sketches. 

APPENDIX p.414 

Town  and  City  Supervisors— Vil- 
lage and  City  Officers—  Seals- 
Chronological  Record. 

INDEX p.421 

Burnet,  Rev.  Eleazer  298 

<:iiapman.  Paddock  £!■ 

'barltoi''  «■";..  ».!>.. io,u  -^g 

('i„^,.   v>rv.  John  298 

Cochran,  Robert  157 

Coleman,  Joseph  3t)8 

Colden,  Gov.  ,S55 

Colden,  Cadwallader  356 

Cooper,  Rev.  Ezekiel  324 

Cushman,  Robert  411 

DavLs,  Elder  Luke  319 

Denniston,  David  166,340 

DeWitt,  John  382 

Donnelly,  Peter  168 

DuPuy,  Samuel  27 

Edmouston,  James  3.56 

Falls,  Alexander  369 

Farrington,  Rev.  T.  T.  406 

Farrington,  Ezra  4U6 

Foote,  Ebenezer  243 

Fowler,  Rev.  Sanmel  326 
Freeman,  Rev.  Jonatlian         298 

Gouverneur.  Abraham  47 

Gregory,  Samuel  O.  362 

Guimar,  Peter  25 

Hartwick,  Rev.  Mr.      '  178 

Hasbrouck.  Abraham  'W 

Hedges,  Dr.  Pliineas  166 

Kerr,  George  W.  404 

Lander,  Benjamin  407 

Lewis,  Rev.  fsiiac  298 

Libljey,  Wm.  S.  <.'i« 

Machin,  Cajit.  Thomas  211 

McCroskery,  John  406 

McGregorie,  Patrick  20 

Merritt,  Underhill  3W 

Palmer.  Rev.  Elihu  165 

Palmer,  Vol.  Thomas  368 

Parmenter,  Ezra  411 

Phillips,  Rev.  George  374 

Phillips,  Robert  364 

Sanxaf,  Edmund  S.  387 

Sayrft  Rev.  John  177,291 

Scott,  William  387 

Smkh,  Nathan  121 

Smith,  William  283 

Serimgeour,  Rev.  Jam'  -  311 

Thayer,  William  380 

Tietsort,  William  25 

Tooker,  ('harles  368 

Ward,  Peter  407 

Watkins,  Rev.  Hezekiah  290 

•ii"  ■'onai'  V'-J 


^ 

»».. 


("? 


422 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


BloomiiifT  Grove. 

Support  of  Poor,  Page  97 

Town  Boundaries,  103 

Block  Houses,  91 

Bluo  Ball  Tavern,  173 

Bridsevllle  Bridge,  184 

Burgoyne's  Expedition,  87,89 

Campdround,  144 

Cayuga  Lake,  Steamer  on  191 

Chester. 

Militia  Rendezv<)us  at  86 

Town  Boundaries,  108 

Churches. 

American  Ect'onned,  315 

Bethlehem,  101,295 

Calvary  Presbyterian,  303 

Catholic— St.  Patrick'.s,  ,332 

St.  Mary's,  333 

Church  of  Kngland,  123,125 

Church  of  the  Cornerstone,  295 

Church  of  Our  Father,  335 

Episcopal,  161,162,289 

First  Associate  Reformed,  162,311 

First  Baptist,  318 

First  Presljyterian,  162,295 

First  Reformed  Presbyterian,  313 

First  United  Presl)yterian,       315 

First  Universalist,  333 

African  M.  E.  and  Baptist,      333 

Lutheran,  Newburgh,  101,120,289 

Lutheran,  New  York,         119,123 

Magliaghkemek,  90,101 

Methodist  (^a^^ses,  32:^,325 

"  Fostertown,  329 

"  Gardnortown,  328 

"  Grace  330 

"  Middlohope,  828 

Rossville,  .328 

"  Trinitv  326 

St.  John's  329 

"  St.  Paul's  331 

Newburgh  Mi.tsion,  130 

Number  in  Coumv.  loi 

■=(    Andrews,         "  131,292 

M,ss,o,l,  130,|9 

'  '  ;,  323 

S'  -•terlji:i,  302 

>>■  1  V'l-  -tvterian,  314 

t:  ;»7 

i-;i.-  204 

Churcli  sia..  ,H35 

Civil  Government,  29 

Assessors,  34 

Colonial  Politics,  44 

Commissioners  of  Highways,    34 

First  Code  of  Laws,  "        ,S1 

Organization  of  Counties,  32 

Precinct  Organizations,  .35 

Representatives  in  Assemblv,  42 

Supervisors,  "     .S3 

Town  Organizations,  39 

Climate. 

Cornwall,  7I 

Goshen,  71 

Ncwt)urgh,  70 

Shawangunk  Range,  71 

Coffee  House,  Newburgh,  200 

Colden's  Dock,  172,244 

CoUlen  House,  173,199 

Colonnade  Row,  200 

'"■ommercial  Record. 

Docks,  244 

I'.ij-warders,  245 

i^i'  op  Lines,  244 

Stoi  ners  and  Barges.  247 

Steaiiiiiont  Captains,  249 

Commit 'ce  of  Safety,  135,137 

Power -.if  ,  ,  138 

Continental  Dock,  '  172 

"  RlaeksuiUh  Shop,    173 

Ferry,  173,177,251 

Slore-hou.Ni  299 

"  Regiments,  276 

Copper  Coinage,  liS,171,211 

Cornwall,  Precinct  of  36 

Population  1790,  41 

Town  Boundaries,  jij4 

Counties,  Original  bZ 

County  of  Orange, 

.Agricultural  Products,  lo'.-.j 

,'  Board  of  Supervisors,  33,100 

Boundaries,  35,41 

Characteristics  of  People,       100 


County  of  Orange  (continued). 


Court  Houses, 

Geology,  etc. 

InsaneAsylum, 

Location, 

Mountains  and  Valleys 

Origin  of  Name, 

Original  Organization, 
"  Precincts  and  Towns,  35,38,39 

Ponds,  Streams,  etc.,  58 

Plivsiologv,  49 

Population,  28,41.85,103 

Religious  Summary,  101 

Reorganization, 

Representatives, 

Sheriffs, 

Stock  Hor.se.s, 

Support  of  Poor,     ■ 

Surrogates, 

Surrogate's  Otlice, 

Town  Boundaries, 
Crawford. 

Town  Boundaries, 
Deerpark.  Settlement  of 

Town  Boundaries, 
DeCirove's  Tavern, 
Demott's  Tavern,      \ 
Denton's  Dock,  \ 

Devil  Worship,  \ 

DeWint's  Dock,  \ 

Diar.y  of  Abm.  Hasbrrwck, 
Doniielly's  Recolleelio^is, 
Downing  Hou.se, 
Druid  Society  (.see  Societies.) 
Eel-Fishing  Place, 
Edmonston  House, 
Elections,  Early 
Elective  Franchise, 
Elii.son  Hou.se, 
Erie  Canal  Construction, 

"    Railroad        " 
Esopus  Wars  (see  Aboriginal  Era). 
Ettrick  Grove,  214 

Evans  Patent  (sec  Pateiit.s), 


43,93 
71 
9^ 
49 
50 
35 
34 


40 
45 
44 
-103 
97 
43 
9S 
103 

107 
25 
104 
173 
182 
173,244 
208 
173 
170 
167 
171 

131 
145 
45,46 
44 
145 
191 
194 


Excise  Commissioners,  129 

First  Brick  House,  173 

"     'T-nuie  House,  167 
MechaniLv.                        178,265 

"     Pest  House,  175 

"     Regular  Store,  174 
First  Settlements. 

Baird  Patent,  130 

Bradley  "  131 
Bradley  Children  Patent,        132 

Goshen,  etc.,  35 

Gulch  Patent,  133 

Haverstraw,  19 

Harrison  Patent,  1.32 

.lohnson  Patent,  133 

Kip  &  Co.  Patent,  1.31 

New  Paltz,  20 

Parish  hv  Quassaick,  28 
Plum  Point  (New  Windsor).      21 

Swartwout  Patent,  25 

Spratt           "  i:i3 

Town  of  Orange,  23 

Wawavanda  Patent,  25 

WaliacH              "  131 

Forwarding  Lines,  244 
Forts  Clinton,  etc.,  51,87,88,142 
French  and  Indian  War. 

Block  Houses,  84 

Hostilities  of  the  MInsis,  81 
Massacres  in  the  Minnisinks,     82 

Friends.  Settlement  of  131 

Front  Street,  Opening  of  201 

Gardner's  Tavern,  203 

Gardner  House,  209 
Geology,  etc. 

Chanipiain  Divisioil,  73 

Granite,  75 
Minerals,                                  74,75 

Mines,  76 

Primary  Rocks,  75 

Shawangunk  Grit,  72 

Soils,  etc..  78 

Taeonic  System,  74 

Trenton  Lnnestone,  73 
German  Patent,  (see  Patents.) 

Glf  i  f^.  First  Charter,  117 

Amended  Charter,  184 

liirllc  iMes,  160 
Dwel-  ..son  129,171 
I'alr.                                       126,126 

\P«e  (^unple  Titles,  204 

■  '■oo'lsj. 


Glebe  (continued). 
Second  Charter,  Page  125 

Tenants  on  124 

Goshen,  Precinct  of  33 

Settlement  of  35 

Town  Boundaries,  104 

Greenville. 

Town  Boundaries,  109 

Hamptonburgh, 

Town  Boundaries,  108 

Hanover,  Precinct  of  98 

Hard  Winter  ot  1779,  169,170 

Harrison  Patent  (See  PatenLs). 
Haverstraw,  Settlement  of  20 

Precinct  of,  35 

Hessian  Pri.soners,  169 

Highlands,  Forts  in  (see  Forts). 
Ilit:Tdands  (see  Mountains). 
Highlands,  l*re<'inct  of      36,122.183 
Highlands,  Tciwn  Boundaries,    110 
Hiram  Lodge  (See  Masonic). 
Horses. 

American  Star,  103 

■  E.sopus  Switch  Tails,  103 

Hambletonian,  103 

Price  of,  103 

Hotels. 

Mansion  House,  177,181,200 

Orange,  172,174 

United  States,  174,201 

Hud.son's  River  Ob.structions,  87,88 

Hudson  and  Delaware  Canal,    192 

Iiulependence. 

First  ( 'Ciebration  of  154 

Infidelity,  164 

Introduction,  4 

In  the  Beginning,  6 

Judicial  History,  .31,32,43,93 

Lacustrine  and  Marsh  Lands. 
Barton  Swamp,  64 

Big  Swamp,  6; 

Binuenwater  Swamp,  64 

Black  Meadows,  63 

Cedar  Swamp,  62 

Drowned  Laiuls,  ft 

(■ray -court  Meadows,  6; 

Grassy  Swamp,  K; 

Great  Swamp,  64 

lw'i\(}-  Swamp,  63 

Pine  Swamp,  tJi 

Pakadasink  Swamp,  64,65 

Tamarack  Swamp,  (j3 

Libraries. 
Catholic  Lilirarv.  etc.,  345 

Mechanics'  Library,  344 

Newburgh  Librarv  Assoc,       344 
Free  Librarv.         34f 
Liverpool  Trade,  "  16;- 

Lficalities. 
Balmville,  20( 

Belknap's  Ridge,  2II 

Coldcnham,  131,21) 

Dans  Kamer,  9,20< 

DuBois'  Mills,  20! 

Gardnertown,  2U' 

Gidneylown,  133,20! 

Hampton,  20' 

Hay  Scales,  iii 

Lujiiondale,  131,20. 

Middleliope,  132,'20- 

New  Mills.  21> 

Powder  Mills,  2I 

Public  Stocks,  21 

Public  Market.  21' 

Rocky  Forest,  131,20 

Rossville,  132,208..32 

The  Vale,  21 

Wa.shington's  Headquarters    21 
West  Newburgh,  21- 

Lumitic  Asvlum,  s 

Luptondale  (.see  Localities.) 
Maghaghkemek  Patent,  i 

Church,  90,11 

Precinct,  ; 

Settlement  of  2 

Mailler's  Dock,  172,24 

Mamakating  Precinct  (see  Frecinc 
Mansion  House,  177,21 

Masonic.  I 

American  Union  Lod^e,  3f 

Hiram  Lodge,  190,3; 

Newburgh  Lodge,  »'. 

Orange  Lodge,  Goshen,  3 

Steuben  Lodg',  Si 

St.  John's  Ledge,  Warwick,    9' 
Masonic  Lf"'"«  w..n«-i  jf. 

,]■■,.» 


htgrabings. 


Aborginal  Map Facing  Page  5 

Atlolph  DeGrove  (Autograph) , 'iU'i 

Adolph  DeGrove,  Jr.  (Autograph) ;i85 

American  Reformed  Church ai7 

Asbury  Chapel 328 

Associate  Reformed  l/'liurch 313 

Calvary  Presbyterian  Church 30o 

Golden  House 173 

County  Seal Title  Paye. 

County  of  Orange  (Map) Facing  Page  35 

Court  House  at  Ne wburgh 95 

Cro'■^fest 50 

David  Crawford  (Portrait) 398 

Disbandment  of  the  Army Facing  Page  157V 

DuBois'  iMills 209 

Engine  No.  2 25S 

Enoch  Carter  (Portrait) 3S5 

Ferry  Boat  Caravan 253 

First  Baptist  Church  (1796) 320 

First  Baptist  Church  (185J) 322 

First  Baptist  Church  (18J0) 322 

First  M.  K.  Church  (18t)0) 327 

First  Presbyterian  Church  (1S23) 30J 

First  Presbyterian  Church  (1858) ;101 

First  Reformed  Presb.ytcriau  Church 31i 

Fostertown  M.  E.  Church 329 

Gardner  House 209 

Gardner's  Store  House Fachig  Page  21!!-' 

Garduertown  .M.  E.  Church 328 

German  Patent  (Map) 118 

Gilbert  O.  Fowler  (Portrait) 309 

(ilebe,  Map  of  (1753) Ftcing  Page  127 

Gray-Court -Meadows Oi 

Hay  Scales 217 

Home  for  the  Friendless  351 

Homer  Ram-idell  (Portrait),  Steel. .  Facing  Pa'.te  403 
Homestead  of  Thomas  Powell  (Steel)     "        "       183»' 
Homestead  of  I'hdiiias  Powell  (Steel)     "        "       225 

Hudson  Trading  witli  Indians 8 

Hugh  Walsh  (Autograph) 381 

Indian  Devil  Worship 207 

James  M.  Gardiner  (Portrait) 38S 

Jonathan  Carter  (Autograph) 38t 

Jonathan  Fisk  (Portrait) 391 

Joseph  Hoflfinan  (Portrait)  33i 

Law.son  and  Columbian  Hose  House, Facing  Page  25ij- 

Lutheran  Church 120 

Maringoman's  Castle 55 

Middlehope  Presbyterian  Church 310 


Minnisink  Monument  (Steel) Facing  Title  Page. ' 

Moses  H.  Belknap  (Portrait) 362 

Newhurgh  Academv 341 

Newburgh  in  1609. . ." Ill 

Newburgti  from  the  North- West Facing  Page  111^ 

Newburgh  Patents  (Map) 112 

Newburgh  from  the  Nortli-East Facing  Page  205^- 

Newl)urgli  I Vom  the  South-East 202 

Newburgh  Market 217 

Newburgh  Savings  Bank 236 

Newburgb  Aims-House Facing  Page  22I» 

Newburgh  City,  Seal  of 420 

Odell  S.  Hathaway  (Portrait) .-405 

Parsonage,  First 128 

Patents,  Map  of Facing  Page    27  — 

Phineas  Bowman  (Portrait) 390 

Plateau  at  Cornwall 79 

Public  Stocks  and  Whipping  Post  •  -i  • .  ■ .' 216 

Ranisdell's  Store-house Facing  Page  247 

Ringgold  Hose  House .ti  Facing  Page  257 1 

Ross  House  208 

Rossville  M.  E.  Church 329 

Ruins  of  Fort  Putnam Facing  Page    92-. 

Samuel  Parmenter  (Autograph) 410 

Scliool  House,  First 128 

Second  Presbyterian  (Uuireh 303 

Second  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church 314 

Selah  Reeve  (Autograph) 376 

Steamer  Baltimore 248 

St.  (iforge's  Epi.scopal  Church 293 

Sterling  .Minces 77 

Sugar-Loaf  .Mountain 56 

Thomas  Powell  (Portrait),  Steel Facing  Page  353 

Torn  Mountain 51 

Township  of  Washington  (Map) ' 159 

Trinity  M.  E.  Church Facing  Page  327^ 

Univer.salist  Church 334 

Union  Associate  Reformed  Church 308 

Union  Presbyterian  Church Facing  Page  308^ 

View  from  Fort  Montgomery 51 

Washington's  Head-quarters Facing  Page  215  ^ 

Washington  Engine 256 

Ward,  Leonard  &  Co.'s  Store 269 

Water  Street  from  Colden's  Gore . ~ ^ '. 199 

Weigand's  Tavern  (1767) 129 

Weig-iiui's  Tavern  (1780) 176 

Win.  W.  Belknap  (Portrait),  Steel. . . .  Facing  Page  360  - 

William  DeGnwe  (Autograph) 383 

William  K.  Mtiiller  (Portrait) 397 


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